Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Estimating the Net Career Income of a Geriatrician and a Nurse Practitioner: Still Want to Be a Doctor?”

Authors: J. Rush Pierce, MD, MPH, David R. Scrase, MD, MHSA

Abstract

In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Golden and colleagues use an economic model to compare the lifetime earnings of geriatricians, primary care physicians, and geriatric nurse practitioners; they then examine the effects of three policy interventions: forgiving medical student loans, shortening the duration of medical school and residency, and reinstituting the practice pathway for geriatric certification.1 The authors conclude that there are only small differences in lifetime income between geriatricians and geriatric nurse practitioners and that the lifetime income of geriatricians would be enhanced by any of the three policy interventions. Although we are not economists, the economic model and assumptions of Golden et al seem plausible, and their conclusion that geriatricians are underpaid is correct and consistent with what others have said.2,3

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Golden AG, Xu P, Wan TTH, et al. Estimating the net career income of a geriatrician and a nurse practitioner: still want to be a doctor? South Med J 2016;109:409-414.
 
2. Institute of Medicine. Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press 2008.
 
3. Boult C, Counsell SR, Leipzig RM, et al. The urgency of preparing primary care physicians to care for older people with chronic illnesses. Health Aff (Millwood) 2010;29:811-818.
 
4. Leigh JP, Tancredi DJ, Kravitz RL. Physician career satisfaction within specialties. BMC Health Serv Res 2009;9:166.
 
5. Gawande A. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. 1st ed. New York: Metropolitan Books; 2014.