A profile of emergency physicians 1984-1985: demographic characteristics, practice patterns, and income

Emergency physicians (EPs) were profiled using data from a recent national survey of physicians. In addition, we compared EPs to other physicians on demographic and practice characteristics. EPs were younger than physicians in other specialties and were less likely to be foreign medical graduates or board certified. EPs were far more likely to be employed by hospitals and on salary. Their net income averaged $93,000 in 1983, although hospital employees had lower average incomes ($83,000) than did those employed by a corporation or self-employed in a group practice ($101,000). Compared to other specialties, their average income was higher than nonsurgeons, but still far below surgeons. While EPs and other physicians spent about 50 to 51 hours per week in medical activities, EPs saw more patients per hour. EPs saw more uninsured individuals. These results have implications for patient access, "entrepreneurism" in the specialty, and credentialing.