RI Ranked 5th Worst State for Doctors, According to Study

RI Ranked 5th Worst State for Doctors, According to Study

A new study has ranked Rhode Island as the fifth-worst state for doctors. 

Medscape's annual list of the best places to practice medicine in the United States ranks only West Virginia, Louisiana, New Mexico and Nevada as being worse. 

In contrast, Massachusetts ranks 9th overall and is tops in New England. Two other New England states made the top 20, New Hampshire ranks #15, and Maine #18.

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For the list, Medscape compiled data from multiple sources between March 10 and 12, including its own reports on physician compensation; physician depression and/or burnout; and lifestyle and happiness; as well as data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, U.S. News and World Report, Commonwealth Fund, Kaiser Family Foundation, and others.

Medscape considered 10 metrics, including seven "hard" measures—such as malpractice payouts, compensation, and health system performance—and three "soft" measures, including rates of burnout and happiness at work and outside of work. 

RI in Focus

“Malpractice payouts against doctors were more than twice the national average in 2020, and adjusted physician compensation is low,” writes Medscape. “Rhode Island ranked No. 48 in medical resident retention.”

“However, physician burnout is below the national average, and the state ranks No. 4 in access to healthcare.”

Minnesota was ranked the best state for doctors, followed by Wisconsin and Washington. 

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