Practice Strategies
Dissatisfaction Runs High Among Physicians
If given the chance to start their careers again, some 60% of primary care physicians would choose a different field, and many feel they are less respected than surgical or diagnostic specialists, according to a survey conducted by Physicians Practice magazine.
Conducted by physician search and consulting firm Merritt, Hawkins & Associates, the survey of primary care physicians showed that, if they had their medical education to do over again, 39% would become surgical or diagnostic specialists, while 22% would not choose medicine as a career.
More than 80% of primary care physicians surveyed indicated that they have busy practices, with just 17% reporting they are not busy enough. Meanwhile, 57% of respondents said they are contacted about job opportunities about 50 times per year by physician recruiters. According to researchers, these findings suggest that primary care physicians are in robust demand and that the job market for their services is strong.
Results also showed, however, that about 60% of the primary physicians surveyed view the income they derive from their practice as disappointing, with around 50% of respondents indicating they earn $150,000 or less a year—far less than many specialists. Fewer than 15% of respondents said they consider themselves equal partners with surgical and diagnostic specialists, while 85% said they see themselves as either “junior partners” or “second class citizens.”
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© 2008