The surgical workforce: averting a patient access crisis.

This article examines the state of the medical and surgical workforce, and how business-based and economic principles such as supply and demand have continued to shape it. Specifically, this article focuses on the following topics: past and present efforts to determine physician supply; where workforce shortages are most apparent at this time; and the factors that are contributing to the current shortfalls and their broader implications. In addition, the author looks ahead to determine what changes we need to support, promote, and make to meet our patients' evolving needs and expectations.