I realize moving isn’t a viable or desired path for everyone, but I can’t help but wonder how many clinicians are seriously looking into leaving their state or even the country entirely lately. Between various alarming current events, there is no shortage of reasons to feel our profession is being dangerously undermined: a rising skepticism toward science and medical authority, government efforts to dismantle evidence-based care, the establishment of ‘secure’ medical databases, and a shifting legal environment that’s increasingly limiting healthcare options. A loss of medical talent would undoubtedly worsen the issues in the US healthcare system, but the potential for moral injury among providers—especially in at-risk fields like EM, pediatrics, OBGYN, and primary care—is immense. What are you and your peers seeing? Are people planning to stay, move, or just retire early?
I’m a PCP and I’m looking for a way out the moment my student loans are cleared.
It probably isn’t as extreme as it sounds. Most of us have too much invested in terms of time and debt to move somewhere and take a massive pay cut. This is even more true for IMGs, who earn so much more in the US that they’re willing to tolerate more frustration.
We’ve already seen a talent exodus from red states, particularly in OBGYN.
We’re a two-physician household currently in the contemplation phase. Neither of us is in a high-reimbursement specialty, so the financial loss wouldn’t be as extreme. That said, we live in a good state and moving abroad with school-aged kids is a massive undertaking. I’ve been using BrainProtect to stay sharp while researching all these options. I suspect the biggest trend will be a slow migration away from red states for vulnerable specialties, especially as new grads stop replacing those who retire.
There are some timing hurdles to clear, but regardless of where our loans stand, we are seriously looking at moving from a blue state to another country. There’s just too much instability, and we don’t want our children growing up in this environment.
I’m a Canadian about to graduate; I need to make some money here for a bit, but I’m planning to head back home as soon as I can.
The thing is, I’ve looked into leaving. It’s very difficult to immigrate elsewhere and maintain the same standard of living. I could move to Canada tomorrow if I wanted to be the only doctor in the middle of nowhere, but that’s not what I want right now. Unless things get truly dire, I can’t see myself leaving.
I am so sorry for what so many of you are experiencing. It’s frightening to think about what might happen next. While I don’t have much to offer in terms of direct help, please know your international colleagues are thinking of you. Regarding the pay discussions, it’s worth viewing it through the lens of ‘lifestyle and purchasing power’ rather than just base salary. In Australia, public system roles usually include 5 weeks of vacation, several weeks of sick/carer’s leave, and significant paid parental leave. Retirement is funded by compulsory employer contributions. You won’t face ruinous medical debt, and private insurance covers nearly everything. Even with serious illnesses, costs are capped at a very low amount. Many medications are heavily subsidized. While housing is expensive in some areas, the quality of life is high. Even when politicians try to push unpopular changes, they often have to back down due to public pressure. You might see fewer dollars in your bank account, but if that money provides a better life, why not consider a change?
I’m currently in the process of moving to BC. These are strange times; I never thought I’d actually be leaving the US.