The best, worst states for physicians

Minnesota is the place for physicians to practice, according to Medscape's recent ranking of states. The ranking is based on several factors: physician burnout rates, levels of happiness in and out of work, compensation, malpractice payouts per capita, number of adverse actions against physicians, resident retention, health system performance, and overall livability.

Minnesota earned its top ranking for its low incidence of adverse actions against physicians, level of physician burnout/depression below the national average, and overall livability of the state. It was followed in the ranking by Wisconsin, Washington, Colorado,  and Utah.

On the other end, the five worst states scored low for livability and had higher adverse actions against physicians. West Virginia, which was ranked the worst, was also dinged for being one of the least healthy states and for having high malpractice payouts for a state of its size.

The worst states for physicians were rounded out by Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, and Rhode Island.  

Source: Medscape