Many Physicians Regret Career Choice
According to Medscape’s newly published (2012) report on physician income, almost half (46%) of the surveyed physicians (N > 25,000) would not choose medicine as a career, and nearly 80% would not choose the same practice setting, if they had to do it over again. Nearly 60% regret their specialty choice. Perhaps income, especially for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons, lightens the emotional load. But money can soothe only so much unhappiness.
The distressing thought for the day: The general dissatisfaction among currently practicing physicians bodes ill for encouraging bright young adults to pursue medical careers.
A native East Tennessean, Barbara Martin is a formerly practicing, board-certified neurologist who received her BS (psychology, summa cum laude) and MD from Duke University before completing her postgraduate training (internship, residency, fellowship) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She has worked in academia, private practice, medical publishing, drug market research, and continuing medical education (CME). For the last 3 years, she has worked in a freelance capacity as a medical writer, analyst, and consultant. Follow Dr. Barbara Martin on Google + and Twitter.
