Who is the modern physician?

Lazy. Undertrained. Weak. These are just a few of the terms we have heard to describe clinicians in the modern era.

While newer physicians are criticized for a poor work ethic, we are more empathetic, culturally sensitive, resource conscious, operationally savvy, and evidence-influenced than ever. We also have a lot less ego than our predecessors.

The modern physician is not special. She simply wants a more balanced life without sacrificing professional growth. The physics of American healthcare has always made that proposition borderline insane.

While telemedicine has been around forever, virtual care delivery really flourished post the COVID-19 pandemic. This fundamental shift allowed the modern physician to finally regain some personal time.

This movement wasn’t just about having some virtual work on the side. Several opportunities were created for physicians to work exclusively online. Remote work lends itself to decreased stressors (as most white collar workers now mourn the hybrid model of office work, we as physicians pray for at least a hybrid any day). In addition to virtual work, there are several other factors that influence the productivity and satisfaction of the modern physician:

Marginal flexibility over $$$

While fair compensation is important, the modern physician will take marginal flexibility over an increase in production-based revenue any day. I am not talking about flexibility to the point of not showing up for work when we don’t feel like it. I am emphasizing marginal flexibility, where employer open mindedness occurs in the setting of emergencies or frankly other priorities (i.e. your kids are sick, you need to take a non-negotiable school meeting, etc.)

No matter what the policies of an institution are, the culture of medicine structurally makes it difficult for a clinician to meet the demands of a dynamic, modern personal life (think 50/50 parenting). If there was the concept of a backup provider for the first 2-3 hours of a workday for any given day and clinician, that would be a game changer.

Hedged risk over $$$

No matter if we are practicing medicine in person, by phone, on video, or through text, there is inherent risk in our work. Our decision making affects lives. While we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we know that our work is serious. Deadly serious.

That’s exactly why modern physicians prefer to see less patients (shocker it has nothing to do with laziness). The more patients in a restricted amount of time (we will get into the inherent problem with time in a future post), the more opportunity for error, thus higher the risk.

Increased risk and the fallout from errors are debilitating. The money isn’t worth it after a certain point.

Transparency + professional development

Of course there are days when cash is king and it’s normal to fantasize about financial independence and retiring early. But the modern physician has no interest in front-loading her younger years, missing out on living a normal life, and burning herself out in the process.

Sustainable, wellness promoted work culture will allow us to work well into post retirement age. We like job posts that are transparent not only about money, but about culture. Is this a place I can develop myself and have a life I’m proud of?

At Ansured, we serve the modern physician. Subscribe to receive weekdaily posts on virtual, high-value primary care careers.