A new study that appeared recently in the Journal of the American Medical Associated shows that doctors have been consistently shedding hours from their work week. The average hours dropped from 55 to 51 between 1996 and 2008. The drop in average hours equals losing 36,000 doctors in a decade.

Studies like these have to be taken seriously especially as the Boomers continue to retire. We know from previous reports that there is a serious doctor shortage looming. This is why we here at MyMedicalMalpracticeInsurance.com were so bothered by the 21% Medicare cuts. What is the federal government thinking? Will this force physicians to stop accepting Medicare patients? I think that answer is across the board. If your practice relies heavily on Medicare patients……then probably not. If it’s a small percentage, then yes, I see that as a strong possibility.

Some the reasons we think there has been a drop in the average amount of hours worked:

1. Being hassled by patients…..we feel that doctors in America have become undervalued, and people have started treating them that way.
2. In high risk specialties, the risk of lawsuits has gone up…..which means your medical malpractice insurance costs go up. (a quick side note, make sure you’re not paying too much for your liability insurance, there are a lot of brokers who don’t have access to all the insurance companies, which in turn inhibits you from finding the best, most cost effective solution: request a free professional medical liability quote.)
3. Physicians want “a life”. I think they’d rather go home at 5 or 6pm then stay till 8 or 9. They have families, and like everyone else, they want to be an active part.
4. Amounts dropping for reimbursements….and costs increasing.
5. Politicians have demonized doctors for their own gain and agenda…..

The strangest thing about this study, and the general buzz around it is the drop to 51 working hours a week. 51! Most people would be screaming if they had to work 51 hours a week……we need to get back to the days when such an important part of our society was not taken for granted. Maybe when people can’t make an appointment with a physician…maybe then we’ll see an about-face in attitude.