A new survey of medical physicians “confirms a familiar, but deepening concern”:1 Only 12% of physicians surveyed were likely to recommend medicine as a career. Overall, the medical profession earned a “net promoter score” (NPS) of negative 52.
The NPS is a standard measurement of customer loyalty and predictor of growth. It’s calculated by taking the percentage of “promoters” (in this case, MDs loyal to the medical profession and likely to recommend it as a career) and subtracting the percentage of “detractors” (MDs who are unhappy and may discourage others from seeking a career in medicine). “Passive” (satisfied, but not enthusiastic) MDs are not included in the calculation.
The average NPS for healthcare providers is 46. A score of negative 52 suggests medicine as a career is failing miserably.
While MDs find helping people with illnesses the most rewarding part of their career, there is much they find challenging. Of those surveyed, the top concerns include:
- Misinformation on social media (64%)
- High cost of medical care (62%)
- High cost of drugs (55%)
- Lack of trust in physicians and the system (52%)
Perhaps some of the most interesting information is found in the comments by MDs who took the survey:
- “Patients are openly distrustful, aggressive, and disrespectful.” – Internal Medicine Physician, Mich.
- “The system is discriminatory, pays different fees for same service.” – Pediatrician, Fla.
- “Healthcare has become a for-profit business now run by business people that have profit as their main goal, not patient care.” – Internal Medicine Physician, Texas
- “We are close to a major catastrophic nationwide healthcare crisis.” – Neurologist, Ga.
With seven of every eight physicians surveyed unlikely to recommend medicine as a profession (and some encouraging people to look elsewhere), the opportunity to reach young people who should explore joining the chiropractic profession has never been greater. But it will require us to speak up and fill the void of information that still exists.
And while most young people don’t think about chiropractic as a career, there are still many high-school and younger students who are attracted to a career in healing. Our job is to ensure we have resources and representation in places where they will learn about chiropractic and consider a career that doesn’t include drugs or surgery.
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) has a webpage with multiple videos and other information you can share with young patients (https://www.f4cp.org/chiropractic-careers/), as do most of the chiropractic educational institutions. Your job is simply to encourage young people you come in contact with to explore a career in chiropractic. Students will consider their calling as they become informed.
There is a definite shift in how people are thinking about healthcare. The revelation from the medical profession revealed in this survey underscores the need for us to double-down in our efforts to take advantage of a questioning society ... one that needs more chiropractic.
Reference
- “Facing Diminished Trust, Doctors Question Their Calling – The Future of Healthcare Survey.” The Doctors Company, December 2024 - January 2025.
