Advertisement

Doctors Leave Mass. For Friendlier Climes

An annual report that measures how welcoming the state is for doctors finds that Massachusetts is not an easy place to practice medicine.

The report says more than half of medical school residents and fellows who train here will leave Massachusetts to pursue their careers, and nearly a third of the state's practicing physicians want a career change. That's due partly to the cost of living, the expense of maintaining a practice, and the burden of malpractice insurance.

"The major headline is that from a physician perspective, the ability to maintain a viable practice and the attraction of practicing in this state is continuing to deteriorate," says Bruce Auerbach, president of the Mass Medical Society, which released the report.

Auerbach says Massachusetts could face a worsening doctor shortage if this climate doesn't change.

Audio will be available for this story later today.

This program aired on April 16, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close