More Massachusetts Doctors Leaving the State As Costs Increase

Massachusetts physicians are facing "deteriorat[ing]" financial conditions, as income "fails to keep pace" with increasing malpractice insurance rates, home prices and business costs, according to a new Massachusetts Medical Society index, the Boston Herald reports. As a result, more doctors are leaving and fewer young physicians are choosing to practice in the state. The MMS Physician Practice Environment Index Report, released March 18, examines criteria such as the cost of malpractice coverage, the number of people applying for medical school, the average physician salary and the cost of running a practice. Dr. Henry Tulgan, director of medical education and associate dean of the University of Massachusetts Medical School at Berkshire Medical Center, said, "We're finding that recruitment is more difficult and that retention of our residents has been very difficult. The anticipated starting salaries and benefits outside of Massachusetts are better." The Herald reports that Massachusetts has one of the highest per capita concentrations of physicians, but that figure does not take into account those who are practicing on a part-time basis or conducting research. Some experts worry that as the number of practicing doctors decreases, patients will face difficulty accessing care. MMS President Dr. Francis Rockett said that patients who have to wait "too long" to see their doctors may seek treatment in emergency rooms, which is more costly (Powell, Boston Herald, 3/18). The index graph is available online. Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the graph.