MA Ranked One of the Worst States for Doctors in U.S.

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Tuesday, March 28, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Massachusetts is ranked as one of the worst states in the country for doctors. 

According to a recent study completed by WalletHub, Massachusetts is ranked as the 6th worst state for doctors in the U.S.  

“Not only did the average medical-school graduate leave campus with more than $189,000 of debt in 2016, but the medical profession has also been undergoing intense transformation in recent years. Health-care reform, the rise of branded hospital networks and the retirement of Baby Boomers are all complicating the lives of doctors and warranting pause from potential whitecoats,” said WalletHub. 

Massachusetts is ranked 47th for opportunity and competition and 37th for medical environment. 

Massachusetts Ranks: 

• 45th - Projected Number of Physicians per Capita by 2024
• 48th - Malpractice Award Payout Amount per Capita 
• 4th - Punitive State Medical Boards 

 

The Rankings 

Massachusetts ranks behind Maine and Connecticut who rank 44th and 45th respectively. Massachusetts ranks ahead of Rhode Island and Maryland who rank 47th and 48th respectively. 

Iowa ranks as the best state for doctors while New York is ranked as the worst state for doctors. 

See the full rankings in the map below

The Method 

In order to identify the best states for doctors, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key dimensions, namely “Opportunity & Competition” and “Medical Environment.”

They evaluated those dimensions using 14 relevant metrics. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for practicing doctors.

WalletHub then calculated the overall score for each state and the District based on its weighted average across all metrics and used the resulting scores to construct our final ranking.

Opportunity & Competition – Total Points: 70

• Physicians’ Average Annual Wage: Double Weight (~12.72 Points)
• Physicians’ Average Monthly Starting Salary: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Hospitals per Capita: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Insured Population Rate: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Primary-Care Provider Shortage: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Projected Share of Elderly Population: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Current Competition: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Projected Competition: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Number of CME Credits Required: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)
• Presence of Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Law: Full Weight (~6.36 Points)

 

Medical Environment – Total Points: 30

• Quality of Public Hospital System: Full Weight (~7.50 Points)
• Punitiveness of State Medical Board: Full Weight (~7.50 Points)
• Malpractice Award Payout Amount per Capita: Full Weight (~7.50 Points)
• Annual Malpractice Liability Insurance Rate: Full Weight (~7.50 Points)

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Central Mass Hospitals’ Grades for Safety

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