Dr. Richard Berger, a joint replacement specialist at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, was featured in a Becker’s Spine Review story entitled, “4 of the most pressing challenges orthopedic surgeons face in 2017.” The challenges listed in the story included: Meeting patient demands in a diminishing surgeon workforce; limited face-time with patients; the need for orthopedic surgeons to fulfill leadership roles; and healthcare is plagued by uncertainty.

The article stated that the United States will face a shortage of between 61,700 physicians and 94,700 physicians by 2025. By 2025, there will be a projected shortage between 25,200 surgeons and 33,200 surgeons. Dr. Berger responded, "Even if the current number of TJRs stayed the same, the need would outstrip the number of surgeons," says Richard Berger, MD, of Chicago-based Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. "It is getting harder to get skilled people into doing TJR, especially if you have a more complex case."

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