NEW YORK, April 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a
workday filled with "too many rules and regulations" and hours
spent on paperwork, nearly 8 in 10 U.S. physicians would choose
medicine again as a career, according to the results of the 2017
Medscape Physician Compensation Report. Medscape's annual analysis
of how compensation influences career considerations and
satisfaction finds that the percentage of physicians who would opt
for a career in medicine if they had a chance to do it over again
(77%) is the largest increase since the survey was first conducted
in 2010, and 13 points higher than in 2016.
Now in its 7th year, the report has been used by more
than 400,000 physicians in the U.S. to assess information on
salary, hours worked, time spent with patients, and what they find
most rewarding -- and challenging -- about their jobs.
"We see that more physicians this year are satisfied with their
career choice, which we think has important and positive
implications for the future of the profession," says Leslie Kane,
MA, Senior Director, Medscape Business of Medicine. "While doctors
continue to deal with many work-related frustrations, there has
also been an increased emphasis on physician wellness, team care,
and other aspects of medical practice that may be making it more
rewarding to be a physician."
This year's survey finds that salaries average $294,000 per year, with specialists earning about
$100,000 per year more than primary
care doctors ($316,000 vs
$217,000). Orthopedists are the
highest paid, at $489,000, and family
physicians and pediatricians the lowest ($209,000 and $202,000, respectively). Most
physicians saw their salaries increase in 2016, with plastic
surgeons experiencing the biggest jump (24% to $354,500). Pediatricians saw a decrease of 1%.
Regardless of salary, 41% of primary care doctors and 33% of
specialists feel they should earn more, with nearly one in five
stating that they are working longer hours for less
money.
"The increase in paperwork in the past five years is striking,"
said Michael Smith, M.D., medical
director and chief medical editor, WebMD/Medscape. "In 2012, the
majority of physicians (53%) spent between one and four hours per
week on paperwork and administrative tasks. Today, nearly 40%
report spending between 10 and 20 hours per week. It represents a
major change in physicians' responsibilities."
Still, this year's report shows that physicians remain committed
to their profession. More than half (53%) spend between 30 and 45
hours per week seeing patients, compared with 31% in 2012, and it's
where physicians gain their greatest satisfaction and sense of
purpose. More than 60% cite their patient relationships and their
ability to find answers to their medical concerns as the most
rewarding parts of the job.
Gender Disparities Remain, with Hint of Improvement
Male physicians continue to make more money than female
physicians, although the gap in pay is shrinking somewhat in
primary care. Male primary care physicians made 15% more than
women in 2016, compared with 20% more in 2012. The gap in specialty
salaries has barely budged, with male specialists making 31% more
than women, versus 33% more in 2012. However, the gap in salary is
narrowing among younger physicians. While male physicians between
ages 55-69 make 27% more than women, the gap shrinks to 18% in
physicians under age 34.
Racial Disparities May Fuel Dissatisfaction
African-American physicians earn 15% less than Caucasian
physicians, ($303,000 vs.
$262,000), according to the survey,
and they are less likely to feel fairly compensated (57% of white
physicians say their compensation is fair, versus 50% of black
physicians and 49% of Hispanic/Latino physicians).
Salaries Higher in More Rural States
Practicing in a less populated state may mean higher
compensation. According to the survey, physicians in North Dakota are the highest paid in the U.S.
($361,000), followed by Alaska ($359,000), South
Dakota ($354,000),
Nebraska ($346,000), and New
Hampshire ($337,000).
Compensation is lowest in Washington,
D.C. ($235,000), followed by
Maryland ($260,000), Rhode
Island ($261,000),
New Mexico ($261,000), and Delaware ($268,000). New
York ($277,000) and
Virginia ($272,000) also rank among the lowest.
Geographic supply and demand continue to play a role in
compensation. Uneven distribution of physician-to-patient volume,
particularly in primary care, has been a problem for decades in
rural and poor communities. Numerous government policies are aimed
at improving access to physicians in these areas, which can result
in higher incomes.
To view the full Medscape 2016 Physician Compensation Report,
visit:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/878129?faf=1
Medscape Survey Methods:
The 2017 Medscape Physician Compensation Survey was completed by
19,200 physicians representing 26 specialty areas, including
Medscape members and nonmembers. Respondents were invited to
respond to the online survey. The margin of error for the
survey was +/- 0.69% at a 95% confidence level.
About Medscape and WebMD
Medscape is the
leading source of clinical news, health information, and
point-of-care tools for health care professionals. Medscape offers
specialists, primary care physicians, and other health
professionals the most robust and integrated medical information
and educational tools. Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the
leading destination for continuous professional development,
consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering
thousands of free C.M.E. and C.E. courses and other educational
programs for physicians, nurses, and other health care
professionals.
WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD) is the leading provider of
health information services, serving consumers, physicians, health
care professionals, employers, and health plans through our public
and private online portals, mobile platforms, and health-focused
publications.
The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape,
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WebMD®, Medscape®, CME Circle®, Medpulse®, eMedicine®,
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SOURCE Medscape