With the current trend of artificial intelligence, some specialties in medicine are already witnessing a gradual decline in the need for human handling, however, medicine is still that one career path where the role of humans will rarely be completely replaced by AI. So demand for medical specialists will forever be on a constant upward trend.
The US Bureau of Labour and Statistics has also revealed that 1 out of 5 doctors has left the practice since February 2020.
In fact, in the coming years, a few specialties in medicine will be in a great lack of human resources.
As we step into the future, advancements in technology, demographic shifts, and evolving healthcare needs are reshaping the medical landscape.
Whether you’re a medical student planning your career path or a seasoned healthcare professional contemplating a specialization switch, understanding the most in demand medical specialties is crucial.
In this exploration, we delve into the forefront of healthcare trends to uncover the specialties that are not only meeting current demands but are poised to play pivotal roles in the future of medicine.
5 Most in Demand Medical Specialties in the Future
The top 5 most in demand specialties in the future include:
- Family Medicine/General Practice
- Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Family Medicine/General Practice
The first on the list of the most in demand medical specialties in the future is family medicine and general practice (GP).
GPs are the first point of contact for patients. Family medicine physicians work with patients of all ages, from newborns to geriatrics. In addition to diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, they provide comprehensive preventive care.
One factor that would cause an increase in demand for family medicine physicians is that new medical graduates are usually more drawn to enter a more specialized specialty. Another reason would be that specialists have been shown to earn more than general practitioners on average which also affects the choice of young medical graduates.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is no doubt the second on the list of the most in demand medical specialties in the future.
There is a rising need for mental health specialists due to the increasing awareness of mental illnesses and increased incidence of mental health-related cases.
According to Forbes, depressive symptoms grew from a base of about 193 million people worldwide to 246 million, which is about 28%.
Anxiety disorders grew from about 298 million people affected to 374 million, which is about a 25% increase. All of these have been linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also, the increasing madness over social media and substance abuse would lead to a further increase in addiction-related mental illnesses causing an overall increase in the need to see a Psychiatrist.
Emergency Medicine
Emergency medicine is one of the least competitive specialties with very high match rates for residency all over the world.
The match rate for Emergency Medicine in the US for the year 2022/2023 was 95.1%, The increasing trend for this specialty is proof of the increasing need for more emergency medicine physicians.
All these factors put emergency medicine third on the list of the most in demand medical specialties in the future.
Pediatrics
For obvious reasons, most medical graduates do not like pediatrics as a specialty. Every year, the match rate for pediatrics is always one of the highest, and the reason can be explained by the demand and supply theory.
The number of pediatric patients strongly outweighs the number of residents and specialists, hence the need to fill the available positions for pediatrics in the yearly match for residents.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
In the future, Obstetrics will also be in very high demand as it is today due to the importance placed on their roles by society.
To further reduce maternal mortality and complications from childbirth especially in third-world countries where midwives are still very vital role players in childbirth, the need for these specialists will keep rising.
Factors making these the most in demand medical specialties
Public Health Priorities:
Changes in public health priorities, such as a focus on preventive care and population health management, may influence the demand for certain specialties like family medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and Gynecology. Specialties that address lifestyle-related diseases or public health crises could be in higher demand.
Epidemiological Trends:
The prevalence of certain diseases and health conditions can impact the demand for related medical specialties. For example, the rising incidence of substance abuse may increase the demand for psychiatrists.
Healthcare Policy:
Changes in healthcare policy, insurance coverage, and reimbursement models can affect the demand for different specialties. For instance, increased emphasis on primary care and preventive services may impact the demand for general practitioners.
Workforce Trends:
The availability of healthcare professionals in different specialties can influence demand. Shortages or surpluses of certain specialists can impact their demand in various regions.
Final Words!
As a young medic seeking a place to specialize in, the above-listed specialties will keep being in very high demand across the world.
I hope this helps you in your journey to choosing a career path.
