Geographic Disparities in Neurosurgery Workforce Adequacy Across the United States: Projections to 2037
Document Type
Article
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies on the adequacy of the neurosurgery workforce have been limited. The objectives of this study were to assess the supply, demand, and adequacy of the neurosurgery workforce in the United States. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of US neurosurgeons using data from the Health Workforce Simulation Model. Supply was defined as the number of full-time neurosurgeons working in the United States. Demand was defined as the number of full-time neurosurgeons needed to meet healthcare needs under status quo and improved access scenarios. Workforce adequacy was defined as the ratio of supply and demand. Linear regression was used to analyze workforce trends. RESULTS: From 2025 to 2037, the supply of neurosurgeons was projected to increase from 7030 to 7230 (2.8% increase, P < .001). Over the same period, demand was projected to increase under status quo (7310 to 8310, 13.7% increase, P < .001) and improved access (10 210 to 11 830, 15.9% increase, P < .001) scenarios. Accordingly, neurosurgery workforce adequacy was projected to decrease under status quo (96.2% to 87.0%, P < .001) and improved access (68.9% to 61.1%, P < .001) scenarios. In 2025, neurosurgery workforce adequacy was lower in nonmetropolitan areas compared with metropolitan areas under the status quo (30.8% vs 101%, P < .001) and improved access (10.7% vs 78.8%, P < .001) scenarios. In 2025, the states with the lowest neurosurgery workforce adequacy were Nevada (42.9%), New Jersey (66.7%), and Indiana (73.3%). By 2037, the states with the lowest projected neurological surgery workforce adequacy were Delaware (33.3%), Nevada (37.5%), New Hampshire (50.0%), and Vermont (50.0%). CONCLUSION: Projected inadequacies exist for the neurosurgery workforce, which are greatest in nonmetropolitan areas and certain US states. Future research is needed to develop strategies that improve neurosurgery workforce adequacy including training opportunities to increase the supply of future neurosurgeons.
Publication Date
10-2-2025
Publication Title
Neurosurgery
E-ISSN
1524-4040
PubMed ID
41036844
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1227/neu.0000000000003762
Recommended Citation
Silvestre, Jason; Abbatematteo, Joseph M.; Seeger, Sydney; Reitman, Charles A.; and Lawton, Michael T., "Geographic Disparities in Neurosurgery Workforce Adequacy Across the United States: Projections to 2037" (2025). Neurosurgery. 2265.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/2265