Physician turnover rates and job stability in interventional spine and pain practices: Results of an IPSIS survey study

Abstract

Background

Physician turnover and job instability have profound implications for healthcare systems, private facilities, and patient outcomes. High physician turnover disrupts continuity of care, impedes establishment of patient-physician relationships, and may compromise overall healthcare quality.

Objective

This survey study explores the rate of job turnover in the field of Interventional Spine and Pain Medicine, based on a 2022 survey of physicians of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society.

Methods

A standardized, anonymous survey was distributed by email via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software to physician members of the International Pain and Spine Interventional Society (IPSIS).

Results

Our survey results indicate that interventional spine/pain physicians with initially lower starting salaries were more likely to leave their first job. We also found that those currently in a productivity-based compensation models were more likely to have left their first job.

Conclusions

Of the interventional pain and spine physicians who had been in practice for at least three years, over 65% reported leaving their initial job after training.