Interventional Pulmonology Productivity, Compensation, and Practice Benchmarks: The AABIP 2022 Report.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Medical Practice Management
• Health Economics

Background:

• Interventional pulmonology (IP) lacks formal recognition, leading to a data deficit in practice patterns, physician compensation, and productivity.
• Understanding these aspects is crucial for the field's development and physician well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate practice patterns, compensation, and productivity targets within Interventional Pulmonology.
• To identify factors influencing physician satisfaction and potential disparities in the field.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous survey was distributed to 647 current or past physician members of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP).
• Survey domains included demographics, training, academic rank, practice setting, work relative value unit (wRVU) targets, salary, and career satisfaction.

Main Results:

• A 28.3% response rate yielded data showing median salaries of $320,000-$350,000 for academic IP faculty and $428,000 for private practice.
• Academic female physicians earned less than males, with a mean adjusted salary difference of $57,175.
• Median work relative value unit (wRVU) targets were 5500 for academic and 6300 for private practice, with most physicians satisfied with their career choice.

Conclusions:

• Productivity targets are utilized in less than half of IP practices and are set lower than in other specialties.
• Interventional pulmonology compensation exceeds that of general pulmonary medicine.
• Significant gender-based salary disparities exist within academic IP practices.