Let’s look at the 2019 Physician Job Search Outlook. With 2019 right around the corner, is it the perfect time to start planning to change jobs, retire early, get out of private practice, etc.? Here are several things for doctors to consider for 2019.
Escape From the City
We all experience feelings of burnout in our careers from time to time, but if you are one of those physicians who would say that the burnout is pervasive, maybe a change of scenery can do the trick. Rural communities are struggling to find doctors, and many are sweetening their offers to attract more physicians to “go country.” Physicians who leave the hustle and bustle of the city find lower patient volumes, a better quality of life, more time to spend with your patients, lower costs of living, and much more.
Do Things Differently
Proactive administrators are aggressively pursuing ways to keep their physicians from seeking greener pastures. Reducing the time doctors spend on notes and EHRs by hiring scribes, adding more NPs to reduce workload, and focusing on corporate culture, are just a few of the ways systems are bettering the work environment. Doctors that find themselves somewhere that isn’t seeking continuous improvement, there are plenty of other opportunities out there to consider.
Change in Location
Maybe 2019 can be the year that you get out of the city you’re in and find a new one more conducive to your lifestyle. If you don’t see yourself fitting into a rural setting, a 2018 Medscape survey uncovered the best places to practice. Topping the list is North Dakota with its booming economy, low numbers of uninsured citizens, and high ranking healthcare quality statewide. Very few other states have lower doctor burnout rates than North Dakota. Not surprisingly, Hawaii is also near the top of the list, as well as several states located in the Great Plains, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. With opportunities all over the country, by doing a little research, you can find the perfect place for you.
Retirement
In a recent survey of 9,000 physicians nationwide, over 17% responded that they are planning to retire within 3 years. This number is up from a similar survey conducted in 2016. Considering that over 41% of physicians are age 56 and over, these results aren’t surprising. However, that same survey found 47% want to retire sooner than they had planned. There are many reasons for wanting to retire early, maybe you have saved and invested well, and have achieved some financial independence. Or, maybe you are looking to spend more time with your family, or as in many cases, experiencing burnout.
New Setting, New You
While it is often mistakenly attributed to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is most certainly doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The same can be said for your career as a physician. If it isn’t going the way it should or you expected, 2019 is the time to make a change as evidenced by the 46% of physicians actively planning a new career path. Many physicians are changing their focus, almost 19% are now practicing telemedicine, 12% are planning to find a non-clinical position, and 30% are planning to cut back their hours with one-third of those going part-time.
If 2019 is going to be the year that you take your physician career to new places, Jackson Physician Search is the partner who can help you achieve new heights, find greener pastures, or simply find an opportunity that reignites your passion for medicine. Contact one of our recruitment professionals today to get started.
