The US administration recently implemented a $100,000 fee for initial applications for H-1B visas – to be paid by prospective employers. The American Medical Association is lobbying for an exemption for doctors. Currently, new physicians from international locations represent one in six medical residents and fellows at US teaching hospitals, approximately 15,500 doctors in 2024. See this piece by Roni Caryn Rabin from the New York Times that covers the panic about and resistance to the policy’s application to physicians and nurses.
Blog Archives
Doctors’ Longevity Benefits Don’t Apply to Everyone
It’s well known that there are longevity advantages to higher education and income, however a recent study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers Christopher M. Worsham, MD, MPH, and Anupam “Bapu” Jena, MD, PhD demonstrated that female physicians don’t reap those benefits. Neither do Black doctors.
Black women physicians were shown to have the highest mortality rate in the profession.
A recent AAMC article reporting on the study also touches on other gender inequities, including female physicians’ excessive burnout and home responsibilities, experience of sexual harassment, likelihood to quit medicine, as well as their lower pay.
Check out the AAMC piece with more details here.
Going to Medical School in the Shadow of the New Tax Bill
Many of you know that I’m a fan of the sweet and informative podcast Your College Bound Kid. In recent episode 556, a student called in asking if she should change her career path away from medicine in light of the newest tax bill. Host Mark Stucker offered a deep-dive answer that I’d recommend. You can start listening at 9:55.
Tags: Medical Careers, Medical School, money, podcast
The Middle School Drama Class you Took Could Help your Medical Career
Taking Spanish and typing classes were two of the best decisions I made in middle school. But after reading Dr. Christina Brown’s Doximity article “How We Can Help Women in Medicine Become Better Presenters,” I realize that going to performing arts camp was also a boon. Brown points out that women are less likely to be speakers at medical conferences, which limits their career trajectories. She contends that public speaking, writing, and networking skills should be taught during medical school and residency to propel professional success. Her piece is worth a read.
Medscape Physician Mental Health Report 2025: Burnout is Still Very High
The annual Medscape burnout survey is out, and, while the numbers are being touted as an improvement, a whopping 47% of physician respondents reported being burned out and 24% reported depression. (The burnout statistic is lower than it was over the last few years’ surveys.) When asked, “Can doctors in your specialty be happy and well-balanced?” only 63% of emergency physicians (my field) said yes, the lowest of all specialties surveyed. (Of note, 94% of allergy and immunology physicians gave an affirmative response, the highest of all specialties surveyed.) Additionally, 63% of physicians responded that they would accept a pay cut for better balance.
According to Medscape, “These results portray a profession that has work to do in finding happiness, balancing work and family demands, and developing friendships that sustain one in a demanding career.”
Here is a graphic representation of the survey results.
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more
Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on The Visible Voices podcast:
Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:
Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: