Losing physicians is expensive — turnover costs can range from $250,000 to $1 million per physician, depending on specialty. With 36% of doctors considering a career move in the next two years, understanding why they leave is vital for any retention strategy.
1. Burnout and Work Stress
Nearly half of U.S. physicians report burnout, driven by long hours, administrative overload, and lack of support. Burnout remains the top predictor of turnover. Physicians spend a disproportionate amount of their time on documentation and non-clinical tasks — often without adequate support.
Recruiter Insight: Reduce burnout by investing in support staff, AI-driven documentation tools, and realistic on-call schedules. Promote wellness initiatives and mental health resources in your recruitment messaging.
2. Financial Considerations
About 29–35% of physicians cite compensation as a top reason for job changes. While physician pay increased by nearly 6% in 2023, rising living costs and administrative workloads often outpace earnings.
Recruiter Insight: Benchmark your offers against national and regional compensation trends. Consider offering flexible bonus structures, inflation-adjusted salaries, and retention bonuses.
3. Desire for Flexibility and Autonomy
Even among physicians who report high job satisfaction, 41% say they’re considering leaving due to rigid scheduling, lack of autonomy, or poor work-life balance.
Recruiter Insight: Highlight flexible work arrangements in job posts — like 4-day workweeks, telehealth options, part-time roles, or reduced call duty.
4. Interest in Non-Clinical Roles
More physicians are pursuing non-clinical careers in healthcare leadership, pharma, consulting, or teaching. Many are drawn to roles that offer better balance and intellectual stimulation without the clinical intensity.
Recruiter Insight: Offer hybrid positions that allow physicians to teach, consult, or contribute to research and innovation projects alongside clinical care.
5. Retirement and Workforce Demographics
Over 40% of currently practicing physicians will reach retirement eligibility within the next 10 years. While some will exit, many are open to staying on with reduced responsibilities.
Recruiter Insight: Create phased retirement options, mentorship roles, and part-time coverage opportunities to retain experienced providers longer.
Where are Physicians going?
The southeast United States is the most popular region for Physicians seeking new job opportunities. Almost one-third of early-career Physicians report a preference for practice opportunities located in the southeast(1). This area also outranked all other regions with seasoned Physicians, who reported the region as their top pick.
Originally published 5/26/2020. Updated 1/22/2025.