MDs want off fee-for-service treadmill
CMAJ 1998;158:280
© 1998 Canadian Medical Association
The 1997 CMA Physician Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) indicates that even though most physicians are still paid under the fee-for-service system, many would prefer not to be. In this survey of both CMA members and nonmembers, 64% of respondents reported that 90% or more of their professional income is derived via fee-for-service billing. This represents only a slight shift since 1990, when 69% answered this way.
However, when asked how they would prefer to be paid only 38% opted for fee-for-service. This contrasts significantly with data collected in 1995, when more than 50% of respondents chose that system. More males (41%) preferred it than females (29%).
The PRQ also found that physicians work an average of 53.2 hours per week. This excludes on-call time but includes time spent on CME, research, teaching and administration. Family physicians averaged 51.7 hours per week while medical and surgical specialists reported 53.6 and 57.8 hours respectively.
The study also examined income and workload changes during the past year. Half of respondents reported a drop in income, and within this group 45% reported their workload had increased despite the drop. Of the 35% who reported that their income had stayed the same, almost half (48%) reported an increased workload. Only 13% said their income had risen in the last year and the majority (79%) within this group reported a corresponding increase in workload. — Lynda Buske
Income change in past
12 months (%) |
Workload change in past
12 months (%) |
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This column was written by Lynda Buske, chief, physician resources information planning, CMA. Readers may send potential research topics to Patrick Sullivan (sullip@cma.ca; 800 663-7336, x2126; fax 613 523-0937).
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