Older docs opting for early out
The results of a new survey conducted by Merritt Hawkins & Associates, a Texas-based physician search and consulting firm, suggests that many older physicians are unhappy with the changes that have taken place in medicine over the years.
The results indicate that 48% of physicians between 50 and 65 years of age are planning to reduce or end their clinical practice in the next 1 to 3 years and in addition, many older physicians believe that their younger counterparts do not have the work ethic they do. This correlates to many other fields besides medicine.
The American work ethic is different than it was 20 years ago and it is going to affect the healthcare field as well as many others.
In medicine, when Baby Boomer doctors entered medicine they had control over how they practiced and the fee they charged. But the rules changed in mid-stream and now many are looking for a ticket out.
How, or if, these physician choose to practice in coming years will have a significant impact on overall physician supply in the US and could dramatically change the way healthcare is delivered.
With the U.S. already facing a widespread shortage of physicians, the decline in work of these older, 'workhorse' physicians will potentially restrict access to medical services for more and more individuals.
The results indicate that 48% of physicians between 50 and 65 years of age are planning to reduce or end their clinical practice in the next 1 to 3 years and in addition, many older physicians believe that their younger counterparts do not have the work ethic they do. This correlates to many other fields besides medicine.
The American work ethic is different than it was 20 years ago and it is going to affect the healthcare field as well as many others.
In medicine, when Baby Boomer doctors entered medicine they had control over how they practiced and the fee they charged. But the rules changed in mid-stream and now many are looking for a ticket out.
How, or if, these physician choose to practice in coming years will have a significant impact on overall physician supply in the US and could dramatically change the way healthcare is delivered.
With the U.S. already facing a widespread shortage of physicians, the decline in work of these older, 'workhorse' physicians will potentially restrict access to medical services for more and more individuals.
Labels: doctors, healthcare, retirement, study
posted by Anonymous at 5:50 AM
3 Comments:
HB, as you said, this correlates to many other fields besides medicine. However, within the field of medicine, this disillusion has also affected the nursing profession. I am a nurse who retired many years sooner than I had planned. Unfortunately, I no longer enjoyed working next to the new graduates who were motivated to enter the field for the "big bucks" and job security potential the field of nursing offers. Everyone knows about the nurse shortage that exists in the US.
But patients are the losers. Nurses who are motivated by good, quality patient care are far and few between these days. I know I sound like an old has been bemoaning "the good ole days", but people take note.
The nurse who graduates today is not prepared to provide quality care. The educational preparation is designed for the graduate to get his/her clinical training on the job after being licensed and then becomes gainfully employed. For those of you who have figured it out, the answer is, Yes. They get their training on you! The public doesn't know how inexperienced the nurse who is providing their care is. The name tag says RN. You assume he/she is qualified and experienced to provide the quality care you deserve. The new grad gained book knowledge in school, but learned a miniscule amount of practical application of that knowledge.
Because of the lack of preparation and support after graduation, many of the new graduates are likely to drop out of the work force due to the stress. The reason???? The motivation for entering the field of nursing was for the wrong reason in the first place. The patient doesn't come first....the modern-day nurse does.
Dr. Dan, I know you will not be able to respond to this publicly, but I challenge you to think about the nurses with whom you work. Which ones are the ones more knowledgeable and compassionate? Betcha your answer will be the ones who graduated 15-20 years ago or longer. And this is not just because of the experience they have from being on the job that long, it is because they are a different breed.
My mother was a recent patient at FMH in the cardio-vascular unit after suffering a mild stroke.
Many of the nurses who cared for her were obviously recent grads because of their age. She could not have asked for a more caring group of people. The nurses, the nursing assistants and the housekeeping crew were all kind, polite and caring.
Some of these people were older and just as caring. I am sorry that the nurse who posted @ 11:43 felt that she needed to retire early.
I just wanted all of the former, current, and potential patients of FMC to relax and not worry so much about their treatment. I know everyone has their bad days but overall these hard working people gave my mother the best treatment she could have wanted.
This is happening in alot of professions.
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