It's no longer a surprise that many surgeons are reconsidering their career options.
- 25-40 percent of 1,302 physicians are "seriously thinking of leaving medical practice altogether1
- 63 percent of 1,302 physicians would not recommend clinical medicine as a career to their children2
- 31 percent of 1,100 young physicians (under 40) "would not become a physician again"3
- surgery contains the largest portion of high earners, in a survey of 10.620 physicians, 13% of whom are surgeons4
- surgery contains a disproportionate representation of burned-out physicians, based on anecdotal evidence and the following case vignettes of surgeons who consult us for "career versatility/ mobility/ renewal planning"....
- a successful surgeon in otolaryngology, 57 years old, says he has "had it," and retires "to be a stock broker." Diagnosis: late-career malaise. Treatment: plan for orderly, stimulating transition to retirement.
- a thoracic surgeon, age 38, author of more than 40 journal articles on surgical procedures, income above $400,000, moves into "health-related law" Diagnosis: early-career regret. Treatment: systematic reassessment of skills, options, strategies to reach new goal.
- a heart surgeon, 45 years old, "wants to be his own boss", cannot tolerate hospital administrations, and pursues his dream to become a management consultant. Diagnosis: severe mid-career burnout, de-compensation, burnout. Treatment: stepwise examination of personal issues, emotional re-education
