Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:885-887
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
The income of psychiatrists: adaptation during difficult economic times
B Astrachan and SS Sharfstein
The earnings of psychiatrists are substantially lower than the earnings of
physicians in procedurally oriented and surgical specialties of medicine.
The authors offer evidence, however, that when it is compared to other
cognitive medical specialties, such as pediatrics and internal medicine,
psychiatry is the highest paid specialty on an hourly basis. In recent
years, psychiatrists' income has improved, largely because of enhanced
productivity and efficiency, diversification of treatments, work in
multiple settings, the expansion of group practice, and subspecialization.
The authors provide an optimistic perspective on the future of psychiatry
as a medical specialty.
