What is the average number of years an Emergency Physician (EP) practices?

Average Career Longevity of Emergency Physicians

The average emergency physician practices for approximately 17.5 years for males and 10.5 years for females, with female physicians exhibiting workforce attrition approximately 12 years earlier than their male counterparts. 1

Career Duration by Gender and Age

Emergency medicine physicians demonstrate significant differences in career longevity based on gender:

• Male emergency physicians:

  • Median age at workforce attrition: 56.4 years
  • Median time in practice after residency: 17.5 years 1

• Female emergency physicians:

  • Median age at workforce attrition: 44.0 years
  • Median time in practice after residency: 10.5 years 1

• Overall, approximately 12% of the emergency physician workforce is expected to retire within a 5-year period 2

Factors Associated with Career Longevity

Several factors have been identified that contribute to longer careers in emergency medicine:

• Board certification: Physicians who remain in emergency medicine are more likely to be board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) 3
• Academic involvement: Working with residents during emergency medicine practice is associated with greater career longevity 3
• Income level: Higher income (>$100,000 annually) correlates with longer careers in emergency medicine 3
• Career satisfaction: Greater satisfaction with the initial choice of emergency medicine as a specialty predicts longer careers 3

Reasons for Leaving Emergency Medicine Practice

The most common reasons cited for leaving emergency medicine practice include:

1. Geographic relocation (46%)
2. Better compensation elsewhere (29%) 2

Age-Related Concerns Among Senior Emergency Physicians

Emergency physicians in pre-retirement years (over age 55) report several age-related concerns:

• 74% report decreased ability to recover from night shifts
• 44% report higher levels of emotional exhaustion at the end of shifts
• 40% report decreased ability to manage heavy patient volumes
• 36% report decreased ability to handle the stress of emergency medicine
• 28% report health limitations affecting their ability to practice
• 28% report memory decline (somewhat or considerably worse)
• 25% report decreased ability to incorporate new diagnostic and treatment modalities 4

Practice Modifications to Extend Career Longevity

To promote career longevity, the following practice modifications are most commonly reported:

• Reduction or elimination of night shifts
• Reduction in the number of hours per shift
• Increase in physician and support staffing 4

Financial and Identity Concerns

Among emergency physicians in pre-retirement years:

• 42% report concerns about adequate financial preparation for retirement
• 44% report concerns regarding loss of professional identity upon retirement 4

These findings highlight the importance of addressing workforce attrition issues in emergency medicine, particularly the significant gender disparities in career longevity. Understanding these patterns can help inform strategies to improve retention and ensure stability, longevity, and diversity in the emergency physician workforce.