Even before the November 4 election, as the U.S. economy began going into
recession, political pundits began speculating about what issues the incoming
president should address in the early days of his presidency—if not sooner.
During that time LocumTenens.com decided to find out what issues were on the
minds of America's physicians.
In October 2008 we received 1,457 responses to a two-question survey regarding
the top issue area he should address during his first year in office and their
advice regarding his first 100 days as president.
Considering our timing, it's no surprise that among 119 radiologists responding
to the LocumTenens.com survey, close to three fourths (70%) indicated the U.S.
economy was the most pressing year-one issue. However, it's interesting to note
that physicians are not that different from many other Americans who were
concerned about many issues beyond their own careers and industries as the 2008
election neared.
Following are highlights of radiologists' advice to our new Commander in Chief
(who we now know to be President Barack Obama).
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Medical liability risk, declining reimbursement for services and lifestyle
issues will be on the minds of radiologists as they arrive in Chicago next week
for the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America. At
least that is the indication from our 2007 physician survey.
When asked on an open-ended basis what they would change if they could change
one thing about practicing medicine, radiologists' comments included these:
"Malpractice statute and defensive medicine it causes."
"Remove all lawyers and ridiculous requests that 'CYA'
medicine generates."
"Malpractice—the way it is handled is really poor…"
"The fact that lawyers and politicians have an undue
influence on the way that medicine is practiced."
"Somehow allow for more free time with the family."
Among some 200 radiologists responding to the physician survey, only 3% said
they were not frustrated about practicing medicine in today's healthcare
marketplace. Remaining respondents identified with a list of possible physician
frustrations as follows:
Medical liability issues – 31%
Reimbursement issues – 24%
Lifestyle issues: Too much time at work – 19%
Administrative and business agendas interfere with clinical
decisions – 13%
Federal regulations, policies, procedures – 8%
Career Choices Compared
Despite their frustration and consistent with 2006 physician survey results,
more than two-thirds of responding radiologists (70%) said they would choose
medicine as a career path if they had it to do over again. This compares with
physicians from other specialties as follows:
77% of cardiologists
76% of internists
75% of pediatricians
69% of anesthesiologists
65% of orthopedic surgeons
59% of obstetricians/gynecologists
Respondents' answers to the question, "What do you like most about practicing
medicine?" indicated that the intellectual stimulation, collegial interaction
and professional satisfaction radiologists enjoy in their jobs are what keeps
them from regretting their career choice.
More than half (58%) of responding radiologists said they had no plans to change
jobs (compared to 59% of 2006 respondents). Twenty-six percent said they
planned to change jobs within the next year and, including those, 42% said they
planned to change jobs within 3 years. Thirty-three percent of respondents
cited ‘better work environment' as the top reason for making a job change,
while 28% cited ‘higher compensation' and 22% cited ‘better community for self
and family.' To see LocumTenens.com's complete 2007 radiologist survey results,
click here: http://www.locumtenens.com/radiologist_survey07.
Eighty-two percent of responding radiologists were male, 89% were
board-certified, and 67% were employed full-time. Respondents had practiced
radiology for an average of 18.5 years. More than half (61%) of respondents
said they had worked as a locum tenens provider, but another 35% said they
might consider it.
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