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Key Findings of “The Physicians Perspective:
Medical Practice in 2008” Survey
Jan. – Feb. 2009
Source: “The Physician’s Perspective: Medical Practice in 2008,” Physician’s Foundation,
www.physiciansfoundation.org. This study was conducted for the Physician’s Foundation by Merritt Hawkins & Associates.
The Physician Shortage
- The great majority of doctors surveyed – 78% – believe there is a shortage of
primary care physicians in America today.
- 49% of physicians indicated they will take one or more steps in the next one to three years that will reduce or eliminate patient access to their practices:
- 11% said they plan to retire
- 13% said they will pursue a job in a non-patient care setting
- 20% said they will cut back on patients seen
- 10% said they will work part time
- 7.5% said they will work locum tenens
- 7% said they will switch to concierge practices
- 78% said they are either at “full capacity” or are “overworked and overextended”
- 63% said non-clinical paperwork has caused them to spend less time per patient
Morale
- Only 6% described the professional morale of their colleagues as “positive”
- 78% said medicine is either “no longer rewarding” or “less rewarding”
- 60% said they would not recommend medicine as a career to young people
- 42% said that, given the alternatives, they are ready to accept a single-payer, Canadian style system.
Finances.
Finances
- Only 17% rated the financial position of their practices as “healthy and profitable”
- 82% said their practices would be “unsustainable” if proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursement are made
- 65% said Medicaid reimbursement is less than their cost of providing care
- 36% said Medicare reimbursement is less than their cost of providing care
- 33% have closed their practices to Medicaid patients
- 12% have closed their practices to Medicare patients
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