A recent analysis conducted by the Yale School of Medicine has uncovered a troubling trend: physicians are leaving their medical practices at higher rates than ever. This study, which examined the attrition of over 712,000 physicians between 2013 and 2019, highlights a significant increase in the number of doctors departing from various specialties across the country.
“Our findings indicate a notable rise in physician attrition throughout the workforce, spanning specialty groups, geographic regions, and both rural and urban environments,” stated Lisa Rotenstein, the study”s lead author and a professor at the University of San Francisco.
Cameron Gettel, co-director of the Yale Emergency Scholars Fellowship for Emergency Medicine, traced the origins of this research back to a project that focused on the differing ages at which male and female physicians leave the emergency medicine field. This initial investigation began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period characterized by immense stress on the healthcare system, prompting many healthcare professionals to rethink their careers.
The preliminary results showed that female emergency physicians typically exit their roles in their mid-to-late 40s, while their male counterparts tend to leave in their mid-50s. Alarmingly, this age of departure has been decreasing over the years. The research team then sought to determine if this trend of younger attrition was present in other medical specialties.
“A frequent question I encountered while presenting our findings was whether emergency medicine was an outlier in this regard, or if we were uniquely prone to early departure,” Gettel explained. The data revealed a consistent increase in the proportion of physicians quitting across all specialties, demographics, and regions from 2013 to 2019.
Looking forward, Rotenstein noted that further research will focus on understanding where physicians go after leaving clinical practice and how part-time roles contribute to this trend. Gettel commented that the findings indicate a systemic issue rather than isolated problems within healthcare. “This calls for a reevaluation of the healthcare system to make it more sustainable, ensuring that physicians can continue to provide essential care amid anticipated shortages in the coming years,” he said.
Gettel also acknowledged the challenges in researching physician attrition, particularly when confronting findings that contradict earlier assumptions about the workforce. His work in emergency medicine has shown results that challenge previous studies predicting a surplus of emergency physicians.
“It is vital to highlight the issues that need attention, but it can be difficult to advocate for changes when the findings are unpopular,” he remarked. The research team hopes their study will motivate necessary reforms within the healthcare system.
To address burnout and other factors driving increased attrition rates, Rotenstein suggested that healthcare institutions pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, such as female and rural physicians. She emphasized the importance of reshaping the clinical practice environment.
Research indicates that enhancing team support, providing technology that alleviates documentation burdens, fostering a culture of safety and mentorship, and securing leadership support can significantly improve the physician experience.
Kristine Olson, a recognized expert in professional work-life wellbeing, advocated for the establishment of employee assistance programs featuring mental health providers, trained peer supporters familiar with clinical contexts, and access to certified coaching and mentorship. She believes that these frameworks are essential for addressing burnout, which can lead clinicians to reduce their hours or exit clinical roles altogether.
Olson concluded that organizations prioritizing professional wellbeing are likely to be more resilient and better equipped to navigate future challenges. The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in October.
