Today's young physicians. Factors that shape their professional lives

Young physicians represent a sizeable constituency of the medical professions, but they are facing increased socioeconomic pressures. The large number of women physicians continues to increase, thus changing the demographics of the young physician population. Rising economic pressures have become harsh realities for all of them. Increasing medical school debts, the cost of establishing and building a practice, and heightening competition resulting from an increased supply of physicians are all factors that influence their practice decisions. It has become impossible for young physicians to claim, "All I want to do is practice medicine."