The healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to experience significant employment growth in the coming years. According to a report by Statista, it is projected that the number of employees working in health care and social assistance will have increased by about 2.09 million from the number employed in 2022. This growth is primarily driven by the aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions [1142dffc].
The aging population plays a crucial role in the projected employment growth in the healthcare sector. As the population ages, the demand for healthcare services increases, leading to a higher need for healthcare professionals. This includes doctors, nurses, caregivers, and various other roles involved in providing medical care and support to the elderly.
Additionally, the rising prevalence of chronic conditions also contributes to the growth in healthcare employment. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses require ongoing medical care and management. As the number of individuals with chronic conditions continues to rise, so does the demand for healthcare professionals who specialize in treating and managing these conditions.
The projected employment growth in the healthcare sector is significant, as it represents the most jobs added by any sector. In fact, it is estimated that the healthcare sector will account for about 45 percent of all projected job gains during the 2022-2032 period.
Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. economy, driven by the aging population. Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical and health services managers are predicted to see the greatest spikes in employment. Other growing jobs include athletic trainers, diagnostic medical sonographers, hearing aid specialists, physical therapists, orthotists and prosthetists, genetic counselors, health information technologists and medical registrars, massage therapists, speech-language pathologists, home health and personal care aides, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapist assistants, and physicians.
The highest-paying jobs in health care include anesthesiologists, surgeons, and obstetricians and gynecologists.
Overall, the projected employment growth in the healthcare sector highlights the increasing demand for healthcare services and the need for a skilled and diverse workforce. It is essential for policymakers, educators, and healthcare organizations to anticipate and prepare for this growth by investing in training programs, expanding educational opportunities, and ensuring a sustainable healthcare workforce.
Psychiatry is also experiencing growth in employment, with technicians and aides supporting psychiatrists expected to grow by 9% from 2022 to 2032. Between 2016 and 2021, sports medicine and psychiatry saw the most growth in first-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education fellows and residents [b399c358].
Telepsychiatry has become increasingly popular, allowing patients in mental health professional shortage areas to receive care from trained psychiatric clinicians. The proportion of mental health services provided via telemedicine is 40%. Many patients prefer telemedicine to avoid commuting to a psychiatrist's office, leading to a decrease in commercial real estate as offices remain empty. The upcoming International Academy of Organizational and Occupational Psychiatry (AOOP) annual conference will focus on the US Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being. The conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, March 23 [b399c358].