Many physicians are seriously considering their practical options for a career that has nothing to do with clinical work. Perhaps they feel unable to care for patients the way they want to in the current US healthcare system. Perhaps they feel burned out or simply want to work fewer hours. But around 1 in 4 of them is pondering a career change.
In Medscape’s 2021 report, 22% of respondents were thinking of pursuing a nonclinical career. Another recent survey saw similar results, with a Massachusetts Medical Society poll finding that 1 in 4 respondents planned to leave medicine within 2 years.
Thoughts of shifting careers come at a time of growing discontent in the profession. According to a recent AMA report, a score for physicians’ professional fulfillment dropped by nearly half between 2020 and 2021.
“Medicine offers no joy,” complained one Medscape survey respondent.
‘It’s almost impossible to feel good about being a doctor.”
“I have absolutely no passion for medicine,” lamented an Alabama physician. “I went into medicine expecting something completely different than what it is.”