New physicians are in high demand, but about a third of residents are having second thoughts about their choice to become doctors, according to a study by AMN Healthcare Services.
More than half of final-year medical residents, 56%, said they received 100 or more job solicitations from hospitals, medical groups and physician recruiters during their training. That’s the highest level since AMN first conducted the study in 1991. It also found that 78% received 51 or more job solicitations.
“Physicians coming out of training are being recruited like blue chip athletes,” Leah Grant, president of AMN Healthcare Physician Solutions, said in a press release. “There are simply not enough new physicians to go around.”
Despite the demand, not all new physicians are happy with their career decision.
AMN’s study found that 30% of medical residents would not choose medicine if they could re-select their course of study.
Why? Burnout. The study found that 81% of residents said they experienced it, and 45% saying they experience burnout often.
“It is concerning that many new physicians already feel burned out before they enter their first practice,” Grant said. “Physician burnout at all career stages remains a public health challenge that must to be addressed.”
AMN also found that female residents expect to earn less in their first practice than male residents. Only 58% of female residents expect to earn $251,000 or more in their first practice, compared to 81% of male residents.
Another finding: Few residents prefer to practice in small towns. Only 2% of residents said they want to work in a small town of 10,000 people or fewer.
AMN’s study is based on a survey of 241 residents.