The Medicus Firm asked physicians which factors are the top drivers in their decision to leave clinical practice. In the firm's 2017 Physician Practice Preference & Relocation Survey, 6.43 percent of physicians reported they will definitely make a career change and other 10.77 percent said a career change is likely. The reasons for a physician career change span from misaligned financial rewards to geographic setting. Around 32 percent of physicians in practice and 28 percent of physicians in training report single specialty groups or partnerships are the most desirable while 25 percent of practicing physicians and 16 percent of training physicians report hospital employment as most appealing. The top reasons driving physicians to consider leaving medical practice include: 1. Income/financial rewards: 29.33 percent 2. Approaching retirement age or retiring: 16.75 percent 3. Schedule issues with call coverage and work hours: 16.7 percent 4. Geographic location: 12.32 percent 5. Desire to leave clinical medicine for a non-clinical job: 8.85 percent 6. Administration management issues: 8.75 percent 7. Other issues: 7.93 percent Source
