In 2023, a comprehensive analysis of national death records revealed that U.S. surgeons experience significantly higher mortality rates compared to non-surgeon physicians. The study, which analyzed over a million adult deaths, found a mortality rate of 355.3 per 100,000 among surgeons versus 228.4 among their non-surgeon counterparts. Neoplasms were the leading cause of death, followed by heart disease and unintentional injuries. Lead author Vishal R. Patel, MD, MPH, highlights that this disparity may stem from unique occupational stressors despite similar medical knowledge and access to care.

Source: JAMA Surgery