Health care quality, access, cost, workforce, and surgical education: the ultimate perfect storm

Supply of active physicians (MD and DO) and ratio to the population: actual 1950-1990 and projected 2000-2020. Note the flattening of growth beginning in 2000. Data compiled from the Bureau of Health Professions.

Cumulative growth of physicians, physicians assistants, and nurse practitioners. Note the significant growth in physicians assistants and nurse practitioners in contrast to physicians. Data compiled from the Bureau of Health Professions.

Distribution of surgeons by county in 2006. Note the high concentration in the northeast and southern California.

Number of pediatric general surgeons and pediatric surgical specialists by specialty from 1981 to 2006. The data from 1981 to 1991 includes all pediatric surgeons combined because the data was lacking on specific specialties. The data from 1996 to 2006 represent data for all specialties. Note how few pediatric surgical practitioners there are in 2006.

Number of pediatric general surgeons and pediatric surgical specialists by county in 2006. Note the significant concentration in the northeast and southern California.