Editor's note

I picked a great week to fill in for my colleague, Son Hoang, because I probably would have missed this survey otherwise: the 2014 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives. I will be honest; the results made me want to cry for a few different reasons. Reason No. 1 is because I am still a few years away from reporting $600,000 as my annual income, which is what the top-paid specialists—neurosurgeons—made in a 12-month period spanning 2013 and 2014. Reason No. 2 is because the average pay for neurosurgeons decreased by over $100,000 in a 24-month period.

 

Now, I know what you are thinking, it’s hard to feel bad for someone who goes from making $700,000 to $600,000, but with the increased pressure placed on physicians today, I can understand their frustration, when, at the same time, their pay decreases. And neurosurgeons were not the only physicians who reported a lower income this year. As we hear more about physician burnout and physicians leaving practice, I also wonder, when do we start to worry that physicians’ decreased pay will affect their performance and therefore, affect the care we receive? Should we already be worried? Let us know what you think by emailing kkondilis@hcpro.com or shoang@hcpro.com.

 

Karen Kondilis

Managing Editor