Unhappy Doctors

According to the survey, only 54% of physicians would choose medicine as a career if they had to make the decision again as opposed to 69% in the previous year. What are the underlying causes of such a precipitous drop in satisfaction? Several of the causes cited can be blamed on federal policies…

According to the survey, only 54% of physicians would choose medicine as a career if they had to make the decision again as opposed to 69% in the previous year. What are the underlying causes of such a precipitous drop in satisfaction? Several of the causes cited can be blamed on federal policies…

Adding to concerns related to reimbursement, physicians continue to pay incredibly expensive malpractice premiums and nearly a quarter of physicians admitted to practicing defensive medicine…

Most doctors enter medicine with the thoughts of healing patients on a daily basis, but paperwork can often come between the doctor and the patient. According to the Medscape survey, 33% of physicians spend 10 or more hours per week on administrative activities. The burden will only keep piling on come 2013 when the Physician Sunshine Act is implemented, adding 237,000 paperwork hours by forcing physicians to reveal the minutiae of their relationships with medical supply manufacturers and distributors.

photo:Andre Blais/shutterstock

More on dissatisfied physicians at American Action Forum.