What are Medscape’s top 10 places to practice medicine—and why are the choices controversial?
According to criteria set by Medscape, the WebMD-owned resource for healthcare professionals, the worst state in which to practice medicine is New York.
The best is Tennessee.
Here is the rest of the “best” list for 2015, along with the main reasons Medscape gave for each selection:
10. Alaska—No income tax, adventurous lifestyle, wide scope of practice, tight-knit community.
9. Nebraska—Below average cost of living, wealthy state, strong industry, good schools, low crime.
8. New Hampshire—Good physician compensation, low taxes, educated populace, proximity to Boston.
7. South Carolina—Warm climate and warm people, several museums, good practice environment.
6. Idaho—Outdoor recreational activities, reasonable home prices, average tax burden.
5. Wyoming—Many cultural activities, natural beauty, no state income tax, demand for physicians.
4. Texas—No state income tax, choice of cities and geographies, fewer malpractice lawsuits, excellent medical community.
3. Oklahoma—High physician income, arts and cultural community.
2. Mississippi—Low taxes, low malpractice payouts, cultural activities.
1. Tennessee—Low cost of living, good pay for physicians, progressive communities, music, attractions.
Along with New York at the very bottom, the other lousiest places to practice as ranked by Medscape are Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Reviewing these and other listings in the same vein from Medscape this past spring, Bob Doherty, a senior vice president with the American College of Physicians, took exception.
Medscape, he wrote in a blog post, is overly concerned with economics.
“One Rhode Island internist, a friend of mine,” explains Doherty, “when I told him his state was ranked by Medscape as one of the top 5 worst places to practice, responded, ‘No one asked me. While [our] economy took a big hit, we have a great medical community and collaboration with hospitals, insurance companies, government.’”
A commenter identifying himself as a physician on Doherty’s blog defended the rankings.
“When I get recruiting flyers in the mail, the place looking to hire tempts one with high salary, good quality of living, low taxes and low malpractice,” writes the commenter. “I have never seen a flyer that states that the quality of medicine is high and that is the reason one should relocate.”
Click here to see Medscape’s full “best and worst” listings. Click here to read the Doherty blog post and the comments it has drawn.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.