)
I'm still a resident, so my answer probably isn't as authoritative as some of the senior physiatrists the post on the boards, but like any specialty it's probably what you make of it (though the average physiatrist is working fewer hours than the average surgeon and most other specialists). I don't know what that average number is though. The community hospital inpatient physiatrist I know well works roughly from 9am-5. The outpatient physiatrists from my medical school were working roughly 8am-5pm, often finishing a little earlier. I think my current attendings are working roughly 7am-6pm on inpatient right now, or maybe an hour less. I worked with one VA physiatrist that worked something like 8am-12 four days a week. He was a very happy guy (key to happiness = love what you do, and learn to love living below your means. I'm still working on that second part)
(Well, the main key to your happiness is really to marry the right person
Obviously you could work much longer hours, take more call, and bring in more income. (Or maybe your job is just one of those with a typical day of 7am-7pm).
Vacation is dependent on your contract, and my guess is it's no different than any other specialty in terms of how many weeks you get. I don't know how many weeks vacation practicing physicians get on average--all I know is it increases the longer they stay at that job, and I get three weeks right now as a resident and hopefully I get at least that when I'm out in practice!
I'm assuming as an independent contractor you're able to take a long weekend occasionally, but most jobs (like your first job) don't have that kind of flexibility? Also I had always assumed that physicians couldn't take much vacations because the patients would be upset over you being gone for too long - is that true at all?
No matter what your pay model, if you work less, you will make less. Regardless whether you have salary plus productivity, RVU, or eat what you kill.
I practice pain in Louisiana. I work M-F, 9 - 10hr days, as well as every other Saturday. My net income places me above the 90th percentile for anesthesia pain, according to MGMA.
As a 1099 employee at a total of three organizations, I am responsible for my own benefits, and pay my own SSI. I take vacation when I want (typically 3-4 wks/yr). No one tells me what to do, or how to practice. My only expenses are the cost my medical and DEA licenses. Overhead is covered by the clinics where I work. One facility recently brought on a PA, and they pay for her salary.
I was originally full time with one doc outside of New Orleans. After he and I parted company, I swore no one would ever again be in a position to dictate my livelihood. I work at three different clinics so my sources of income are diversified. Even though the clinics are owned by others, it is my reputation that attracts referrals.
About 40% of my patients are Medicare. 25% are personal injury, 25% are Workers Comp, and 10% have private insurance. I take issue with the notion that my patients are difficult. Truth be told, I am difficult. Play by my rules, or find someone else to see. Nothing difficult about that, at least for me.
