Trevor J Royce1, Kathleen T Davenport2, James M Dahle3. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Electronic address: trevor_royce@med.unc.edu. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 3. Utah Emergency Specialists, Salt Lake City, Utah; The White Coat Investor, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Physician burnout is reported in more than one out of every 2 practicing clinicians and is just as prevalent in training physicians. Burnout severity is also associated with increasing levels of financial debt. Medical professionals are notable for their high and increasing levels of debt; despite this, financial literacy is poor among physicians, and financial education is largely absent from medical education. Radiation oncologists (ROs) are no different in this regard, with 33% of residents reporting high levels of burnout symptoms, 33% carrying >$200,000 of educational debt, and 75% reporting being unprepared to handle future financial decisions. To fill this gap, we reviewed the basic tenets of personal financial health for the early career RO. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The core concept of financial independence (FI) is introduced, and we review 4 basic tenets of personal financial health for the young medical professional: debt, behavior, investment, and asset protection strategies. RESULTS: FI is achieved by saving until the desired quality of life can be maintained, independent of employment income. Debt strategy involves minimizing debt accrual, understanding student loans, and having a debt management plan. Behavioral strategy involves setting financial goals, calculating worth and a savings rate, budgeting, and frugal living. The basics of investing include asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, and minimizing expenses. Finally, asset protection includes insuring against catastrophic events with disability, life, health, liability, and property insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy financial practices can lead to FI and may facilitate professional and personal freedoms with the goal of mitigating burnout-associated stressors. The tenets of strong financial health for ROs in the early stages of their career include sound debt, behavioral, investment, and asset protection strategies. Furthermore, initial and continuing financial education is an overlooked but important curriculum component. ROs with their financial houses in order can devote more resources to learning and practicing good medicine while living healthy, rewarding lives.
PURPOSE: Physician burnout is reported in more than one out of every 2 practicing clinicians and is just as prevalent in training physicians. Burnout severity is also associated with increasing levels of financial debt. Medical professionals are notable for their high and increasing levels of debt; despite this, financial literacy is poor among physicians, and financial education is largely absent from medical education. Radiation oncologists (ROs) are no different in this regard, with 33% of residents reporting high levels of burnout symptoms, 33% carrying >$200,000 of educational debt, and 75% reporting being unprepared to handle future financial decisions. To fill this gap, we reviewed the basic tenets of personal financial health for the early career RO. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The core concept of financial independence (FI) is introduced, and we review 4 basic tenets of personal financial health for the young medical professional: debt, behavior, investment, and asset protection strategies. RESULTS: FI is achieved by saving until the desired quality of life can be maintained, independent of employment income. Debt strategy involves minimizing debt accrual, understanding student loans, and having a debt management plan. Behavioral strategy involves setting financial goals, calculating worth and a savings rate, budgeting, and frugal living. The basics of investing include asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, and minimizing expenses. Finally, asset protection includes insuring against catastrophic events with disability, life, health, liability, and property insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy financial practices can lead to FI and may facilitate professional and personal freedoms with the goal of mitigating burnout-associated stressors. The tenets of strong financial health for ROs in the early stages of their career include sound debt, behavioral, investment, and asset protection strategies. Furthermore, initial and continuing financial education is an overlooked but important curriculum component. ROs with their financial houses in order can devote more resources to learning and practicing good medicine while living healthy, rewarding lives.
Authors: Binal S Kancherla; Raghu Upender; Jacob F Collen; Muhammad Adeel Rishi; Shannon S Sullivan; Omer Ahmed; Michael Berneking; Erin E Flynn-Evans; Brandon R Peters; Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg; R Nisha Aurora; Kelly A Carden; Douglas B Kirsch; David A Kristo; Raman K Malhotra; Jennifer L Martin; Eric J Olson; Kannan Ramar; Carol L Rosen; James A Rowley; Anita V Shelgikar; Indira Gurubhagavatula Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2020-02-28 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: James E Bates; Alexandra N De Leo; Timothy D Malouff; Akash D Parekh; Nirav V Patel; Nicholas B Figura; David Asher; Homan Mohammadi; Mark R Waddle Journal: Adv Radiat Oncol Date: 2020-10-10
Authors: Revathi Jyothindran; James P d'Etienne; Kevin Marcum; Amy F Ho; Richard D Robinson; Aubre Tijerina; Clare Graca; Heidi C Knowles; Nestor R Zenarosa; Hao Wang Journal: Clin Exp Emerg Med Date: 2021-03-31
Authors: Ryan J Cone; Brent M Cone; Kyle D Paul; Alexandra M Arguello; D Michael McCalman; Gerald McGwin; Scott E Porter; S Elizabeth Ames; Michael D Johnson; Brent A Ponce Journal: J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev Date: 2022-02-08