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Healthcare in the US is in a strange place. A variety of converging factors have significantly affected healthcare, both in terms of the delivery of medical services and the actual practice of medicine. To be employed as a physician is not what it used to be – not even close. The job itself (regardless of specialty) has transformed so dramatically that the previous generation’s physicians already find it nearly unrecognizable. Where health reform is headed is anyone’s guess, creating a level of uncertainty for healthcare professionals. Reimbursements are declining, and the requirements surrounding electronic health records (EHRs) and other administrative tasks make physicians’ day-to-day lives borderline unbearable.
All of the these factors have very real effects on the healthcare profession. There is a shortage of physicians in the US, with the shortage growing every year. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of between 42,600 - 121,300 physicians by 2030. In lieu of pursuing careers in health care, millennials and Gen Z have their sights set on STEM jobs (occupations that require an education in science, technology, engineering or mathematics). In fact, even among those that enter the healthcare field, it appears that many are second-guessing their decision. A recent survey showed that among young doctors, 22% said that they would have chosen another field if given the chance.
Despite it all, there is no doubt that becoming a physician remains a very real dream for many. Approximately 19,000 students graduated from medical school in 2017. Given the physician shortage and negative perceptions surrounding the healthcare field, those who actually do pursue a medical license may find themselves in a very beneficial situation.
All these factors and moving pieces beg many questions: How can the future doctors of America enter professional life in the smartest way possible? How can they find a job that not only pays the bills, but satisfies everything that their personal lives and family lives demand? And finally, how can physicians make the right job decision the first time and avoid going through the job search process twice or multiple times throughout their careers?
Supply and demand is very straightforward. A physician shortage means that young doctors are in high demand. Recently surveyed doctors in their final year of residency reported huge amounts of job solicitations (via phone calls, emails and direct mail from recruiters), with 70% of them receiving 50 or more, and 50% of them receiving 100 or more. Mark Smith, president of Merritt Hawkins, likened the need for newly trained doctors to a “feeding frenzy” and said, “there are simply not enough physicians coming out of training to go around.” Such high demand clearly puts physicians in a unique position of bargaining power, but only if they realize it.
Those entering the workforce owe it to themselves (and their families) to harness this power, and make wise decisions in order to come out on top. Next week’s blog will focus on how physicians go about finding jobs, and the ways in which they can best position themselves for a successful and happy career.
Lauth O’Neill Physician Agency provides employment-related services to physicians and other healthcare providers, including contract review and analysis, and concierge-style job search assistance. Call or email Leigh Ann to learn more: 317-989-4833; loneill@lauthoneill.com.