Academic medical practices boosted pay last year for some high-demand specialists to compete with the private sector, while generalists have been left with flat or declining salaries, according to a new study by the Englewood, Colo.-based Medical Group Management Association.
Total compensation for specialist physicians grew 3.2% from 2002 to 2003, led by a 12% increase for diagnostic radiologists and a 9.4% hike for OB/GYNs, the report said.
Meantime, primary-care physicians in an academic setting reported a 3% decrease in median compensation, including as much as a 4.6% drop for internists, the MGMA study found.