Docs cut work hours

According to the Associated Press: "Docs cut hours as primary care shortage looms"
Average hours drop from 55 to 51 — equivalent of losing 36,000 physicians

This is based on a recent article on JAMA "Trends in the Work Hours of Physicians in the United States"

Results: After adjusting for inflation, mean physician fees decreased nationwide by 25% between 1995 and 2006, coincident with the decrease in physician hours. In 2001, mean physician hours were less than 49 hours per week in metropolitan areas with the lowest physician fees, whereas physician hours remained more than 52 hours per week elsewhere

Conclusion: A steady decrease in hours worked per week during the last decade was observed for all physicians, which was temporally and geographically associated with lower physician fees.

To read the full text JAMA article, click here.