Physician recruitment: The 12 most in demand specialties

July 22, 2019

Chris Mazzolini is the editorial director of Medical Economics

The medical specialties that are the most sought after.

What medical specialties are the most sought after?

A new report from Merritt Hawkins-a leading physician search firm-provides a window on which medical specialties are most sought after, and why.

Medical Economics reviewed the report, called the “2019 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives, and here is a list of the 12 most recruited physician specialties in 2018-2019:

12. Orthopedic surgery

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 73

Reason for the ranking:

“Continued robust demand for orthopedic surgeons further illustrates how patient aging is driving the need for medical specialties.”

11. Emergency Medicine

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 76

Reason for the ranking:

“Over half of hospital admissions now come through the ED, illustrating that EDs can be an important loss leader for hospitals-a compelling reason to keep EDs staffed appropriately.”

10. Cardiology

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 84

Reason for the ranking:

“A variety of internal medicine subspecialists who treat conditions often associated with aging, such as heart disease, cancer and others are projected to be in short supply by 2025.”

9. Pediatrics

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 85

Reason for the ranking:

“Physician demographics may be an additional factor driving demand for pediatricians. Approximately 73% of pediatric residents are women, and women are coming to dominate the specialty.”

8. Gastroenterology

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 85

Reason for the ranking:

“A variety of internal medicine subspecialists who treat conditions often associated with aging, such as heart disease, cancer and others are projected to be in short supply by 2025.”

7. Neurology

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 97

6. Hospitalist

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 143

Reason for the ranking:

“Nine out of 10 hospitals of more than 200 beds now have hospitalists who provide inpatient care to patients, many of whom have complex problems.”

5. Radiology

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 148

Reason for the ranking:

“Renewed demand for radiologists was inevitable … because imaging remains central to diagnostic and procedural work in today’s healthcare system.”

4. Internal Medicine

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 148

Reason for the ranking:

“Despite the fact that demand for internal medicine physicians has diminished, the specialty remains difficult to recruit. Only about 10% to 12% of internal medicine residents go on to practice general internal medicine today.”

3. OB/GYN

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 161

Reason for the ranking:

“Nearly half the counties in the U.S. do not have a single ob/gyn, while 56% do not have a single nurse midwife…”

2. Psychiatry

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 199

Reason for the ranking:

“Today it is widely acknowledged that the shortage of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, has developed into a public health crisis.”

1. Family medicine

Number of recruitment searches in 2018-2019: 457

Reason for the ranking:

“Primary care physicians such as family physicians top the list of most in-demand doctors in part because of their key role as ‘quarterbacks’ of the delivery team.”