Georgia graduate medical education exit survey report, based on responses to the 2023 GME exit survey, administered May-July 2023

Georgia Graduate Medical Education Exit Survey Report
Based on responses to the 2023 GME Exit Survey, administered May-July 2023
Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce Published Fall 2023

Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 4
Table 1: Respondents and Survey Completion Rate by Program, 2023...................... 5 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 6
Demographics ............................................................................................................. 6 Geography ................................................................................................................... 6 Medical School ............................................................................................................ 6 Debt and Salary ........................................................................................................... 6 Retention ..................................................................................................................... 6 Practice Opportunities ................................................................................................. 7 Satisfaction with Training ............................................................................................. 7 Demographic Analysis..................................................................................................... 8 Figure 1: Gender Distribution, 2023............................................................................. 8 Figure 2: Percent Female, 2019-2023 ......................................................................... 8 Table 2: Specialties Completing by Gender, 2023....................................................... 9 Table 3: Racial and Ethnic Distribution, 2023 .............................................................. 9 Figure 3: Racial Distribution, 2023............................................................................. 10 Figure 4: Percent Black Race & Percent Hispanic, 2019-2023.................................. 11 Table 4: Citizenship Distribution, 2023 ...................................................................... 12 Figure 5: Citizenship Status, 2023 ............................................................................. 12 Figure 6: Percent Non-US Citizen, 2019-2023 .......................................................... 13 Table 5: Age Distribution, 2023 ................................................................................. 14 Figure 7: Age Distribution, 2023 ................................................................................ 14 Education ...................................................................................................................... 15 Table 6: Degree Type, 2023 ...................................................................................... 15 Figure 8: Percent Osteopathic Degree, 2019-2023 ................................................... 15 Table 7: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2023 ................................. 16 Figure 9: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2023 ................................ 16 Table 8: Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School, 2023 ............................ 17 Figure 10: Location of Medical School, 2023 ............................................................. 17 Figure 11: Respondent Attended Which Georgia Medical School, 2023 ................... 18
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Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 19 Table 9: Education Debt, 2023 .................................................................................. 19 Figure 12: Current Level of Education Debt, 2023..................................................... 19 Figure 13: Percent Having no Education Debt, 2019-2023........................................ 20 Table 10: Total Scholarship Money Received for Medical School, 2023 ................... 20 Figure 14: Total Scholarship for Medical School........................................................ 21 Table 11: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2023 ............................ 22 Figure 15: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2023 ........................... 22
Practice Information ...................................................................................................... 23 Table 12: Top 5 intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training, 2023 ..... 23 Figure 16: Top 5 Intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training, 2023 .... 23 Table 13: Practice Setting, 2023................................................................................ 24 Table 14: Expect to be at Principal Practice for 4 or More Years by Program, 2023 . 25 Table 15: Practice Location, 2023 ............................................................................. 26 Figure 17: Percent Staying in Georgia after Graduation, 2019-2023......................... 26 Table 16: Practice Area, 2023 ................................................................................... 27 Figure 18: Percent Planning Rural Practice, 2019-2023............................................ 27
Job Search .................................................................................................................... 28 Table 17: Actively Job Searched, 2023 ..................................................................... 28 Table 18: Job Offers and Acceptance, 2023.............................................................. 28 Table 19: Job Search Approaches, 2023................................................................... 28 Table 20: Difficulty Finding a Job Rating, 2023 ......................................................... 29 Table 21: Specific Difficulties in Finding a Job, 2023 ................................................. 29 Other Reasons for Difficulty in Finding a Job, 2023 ................................................... 30 Table 22: Ratings and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Opportunities, and Rural Practice, 2023 .................................................................... 31 Table 23: Reason for Leaving Georgia, 2023 ............................................................ 32 Other Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2023 ................................................................ 33
Map 1: Location of Primary Activity After Current Year of Training, 2023 ..................... 34 Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................... 35
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Introduction
This report is the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce's 21st annual report of physicians graduating from Georgia's graduate medical education (GME) programs. The purpose of this survey is to inform the medical education community and state health care workforce planners about the experiences of graduates and inform about the supply and demand for new physicians in the state of Georgia. The survey offers insight into medical residents' demographic characteristics, compensation & debt levels, retention rates, practice plans, assessments of the job market, and training experiences.
Methodology
In 2023, 800 Georgia GME graduates completed the GME Exit Survey. This year, the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce (GBHCW) updated its data collection system to streamline the analysis process. GBHCW data staff created an online form and sent the link to all residency program Directors and Coordinators via email. The GBHCW data team then sent weekly reminders and status update emails to each school until the completion deadline of July 10th. Analyses presented here were conducted using Microsoft Excel.
The response rates for each question vary and are reported as the "total" for each question. All Georgia GME programs with graduates participated in the survey, and are as follows:
AdventHealth Redmond Archbold Medical Center Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Atrium Health Navicent AU/UGA Medical Partnership-St. Mary's Healthcare Emory University School of Medicine Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Board HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine Houston Healthcare System Medical College of Georgia Memorial Satilla Morehouse School of Medicine Northeast Georgia Medical Center Northside Hospital Gwinnett Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Piedmont Athens Regional Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Piedmont Macon Medical Center South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium WellStar Health System
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Table 1: Respondents and Survey Completion Rate by Program, 2023

Program Name
Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta) Medical College of Georgia (Augusta) WellStar Health System Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta) Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Gainesville)* Atrium Health Navicent (Macon)* HCA Healthcare/ Mercer university School of Medicine Piedmont Macon Medical Center (Macon) Northside Hospital Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center (Athens) AdventHealth Redmond (Rome)* Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown (Columbus) AU/UGA Medical Partnership-St. Mary's Healthcare (Athens) Atrium Health Floyd (Rome) Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Board Houston Medical Center (Warner Robins) South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Archbold Medical Center MCG @ AU-Memorial Satilla Health
Totals

Completions
383 110 54 51 35 28 28 27 19 13 10 10
8 6 6 4 4 2 1 1
800

Percent of Total Respondents
47.9% 13.8% 6.8% 6.4% 4.4% 3.5% 3.5% 3.4% 2.4% 1.6% 1.3% 1.3% 1.0% 0.8% 0.8% 0.5% 0.5% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1%
100.0%

Total Graduates
439 166 68 54 30 23 41 27 20 22 13 11 10
7 6 7 4 8 0 2

Survey Completion
Rate
87.2% 66.3% 79.4% 94.4% 116.7% 121.7% 68.3% 100.0% 95.0% 59.1% 76.9% 90.9% 80.0% 85.7% 100.0% 57.1% 100.0% 25.0%
50.0%

958

83.5%

*Note: these programs had more than 100% response rate, possibly due to some respondents submitting multiple surveys. 5

Executive Summary
Demographics 50.6% of respondents identify as male; 49.4% identify as female. Female-identified respondents were more likely than male-identified respondents to be completing a primary care/core specialty in 2023 (64.8% versus 52.2%). Female-identified respondents made up 50.0% or more of the respondents in the following primary care/core specialties: family medicine (57.3%); OB/GYN (92.0%); psychiatry (56.3%); and pediatrics (68.2%). 72.6% of respondents are native-born US citizens, which is slightly higher than the 67.6% reported in 2022. The percentage of respondents identifying as Black this year is 18.5%, which is an increase from 17.2% in 2022. The percentage of respondents identifying as Hispanic this year is 7.9%, which is an increase from 5.9% in 2022.
Geography 27.3% of respondents graduated from a high school in Georgia, which is slightly lower than the 28.8% reported last year. 47.0% of respondents plan to be in Georgia for their primary activity after completion of their program, which is a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from last year.
Medical School The percentage of respondents holding an osteopathic degree is 15.6%, which is higher than the 10.5% of respondents last year. 25.9% of respondents attended medical school in Georgia. This is slightly higher than the 23.5% reported in 2022.
Debt and Salary 48.6% of respondents report having $200,000 or greater in educational debt. 29.4% of respondents report having no educational debt. This is lower than the 34.6% reported last year. 30.1% of respondents expect a starting salary of $200,000 or less a year.
Retention Internal Medicine residents make up 41.0% of the 251 respondents planning to stay in Georgia for practice; General Surgery residents make up 1.6%. 67.0% of respondents who went to high school in Georgia plan to stay in Georgia next year. This is lower than the 72.0% reported last year. 60.9% of respondents who went to medical school in Georgia plan to stay in Georgia next year. This is lower than the 71.4% reported last year.
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63.0% of people who answered the question considered one or more job offers in Georgia. This is lower than the 71.7% reported last year.
The most-selected reasons for leaving Georgia after GME are: proximity to family (25.0% selected); fellowship or additional medical training (21.8%); and better jobs in desired location outside Georgia (15.5% selected). These are the same three top choices as last year.
Practice Opportunities The average of respondents' overall assessments of practice opportunities in their specialty within 50 miles of the site where they trained is 3.2 on a scale where 1 is very few jobs and 5 is many jobs. This is slightly lower than the mean average of 3.4 reported last year. The average of respondents' overall assessments of practice opportunities in their specialty nationally is 3.8 on a scale where 1 is very few jobs and 5 is many jobs. This is slightly lower than last year's mean average of 4.0.
Satisfaction with Training The average response to the statement "Overall, I am satisfied with the training I received," is 4.3 on a scale where 1 is very dissatisfied and 5 is very satisfied. This is slightly lower than the average of 4.4 reported last year. The average agreement with the statement "I would choose to train at the same site again," is 4.1 on a scale where 1 is strongly disagree and 5 is strongly agree. This is lower than the average of 4.2 reported last year.
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Demographic Analysis
Figure 1: Gender Distribution, 2023
Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%

Female 49.4%

Figure 2: Percent Female, 2019-2023

50.0% 49.5% 49.0% 48.5% 48.0% 47.5% 47.0% 46.5% 46.0% 45.5% 45.0% 44.5%

47.2% 2019

Percent Female, 2019-2023

49.4%

49.3%

46.3%

2020

2021

2022

49.4% 2023

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Table 2: Specialties Completing by Gender, 2023

Specialty Completing in

Female

2023

Frequency Percent

Emergency Medicine

19

47.5%

Family Medicine

55

57.3%

General Surgery

11

42.3%

Internal Medicine

100 49.0%

OB/GYN

23

92.0%

Pediatrics

30

68.2%

Psychiatry

18

56.3%

Primary Care/Core Subtotal 256 64.8%

All Other Specialties

139 41.9%

Male

Frequency Percent

21

52.5%

41

42.7%

15

57.7%

104

51.0%

2

8.0%

14

31.8%

14

43.8%

211

52.2%

193

58.1%

Total

395 49.4% 404 50.6%

Table 3: Racial and Ethnic Distribution, 2023

Total
40 96 26 204 25 44 32 467 332
799

Race/Ethnicity
White Asian or Pacific Islander Black/African American Multi-Race Others Native American/Alaskan Native
Total

Frequency
398 192 147 36 19
2
794

Percent
50.1% 24.2% 18.5% 4.5% 2.4% 0.3%
100.0%

9

Figure 3: Racial Distribution, 2023
Racial Distribution
Other 2.4% MultiRace 4.5%
Black/African American 18.6%
Asian or Pacific Islander 24.2%

White 50.3%

10

Figure 4: Percent Black Race & Percent Hispanic, 2019-2023

20.0% 18.0% 16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0%
8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0%

Percent Black Race & Percent Hispanic Ethnicity, 2019-2023
Percent Black Percent Hispanic

14.5%

15.5%

17.2%

18.4%

11.6%

6.2%

6.2%

8.1%

5.9%

7.9%

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

11

Table 4: Citizenship Distribution, 2023

Citizenship Status
Native Born U.S. Naturalized U.S. J-1, J-2 Exchange Visitor Permanent Resident H-1, H-2, H-3 Temporary Worker
Total

Frequency
579 136 36 36 10
797

Percent
72.6% 17.1% 4.5% 4.5% 1.3%
100.0%

Figure 5: Citizenship Status, 2023

J-1, J-2 Exchange Visitor 4.5%

Citizenzhip Status
Permanent Resident
4.5%

H-1, H-2, H-3 Temporary Worker
1.3%

Naturalized U.S. 17.1%

Native Born U.S. 72.6%

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Figure 6: Percent Non-US Citizen, 2019-2023

16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0%
8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0%

13.3%

Percent non-US Citizen, 2019-2023

14.4%

15.2%

15.1%

2019

2020

2021

2022

10.3% 2023

13

Table 5: Age Distribution, 2023

Age Grouping
25-29 30-34 35-39 40 and Above
Total

Frequency
118 492 143 47
800

Percent
14.8% 61.5% 17.9% 5.9%
100.0%

Figure 7: Age Distribution, 2023
Age Distribution
600

500

400

300

200

100

0 25-29

30-34

35-39

40 and Above

14

Education
Table 6: Degree Type, 2023

Degree Type
Allopathic (MD) Osteopathic (DO)
Total

Frequency
675 125
800

Percent
84.4% 15.6%
100.0%

Figure 8: Percent Osteopathic Degree, 2019-2023

18.0% 16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0%
8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0%

Percent Osteopathic Degree, 2019-2023
15.6%

9.6%

11.2%

10.9%

10.5%

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

15

Table 7: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2023

Residence Upon Graduating from High School
Other US State
Georgia
Other Country

Frequency
472 218 110

Total

800

Percent
59.0% 27.3% 13.8%
100.0%

Figure 9: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2023

Residence Upon Graduating from High School

Other Country 13.8%

Georgia 27.3%

Other U.S. State 59.0%

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Table 8: Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School, 2023

Location of Medical School
Other US State Georgia Offshore Island / Caribbean Medical School Other Country
Total

Frequency
388 207 108 97
800

Percent
48.5% 25.9% 13.5% 12.1%
100.0%

Figure 10: Location of Medical School, 2023

Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School

Other Country 12.1%
Offshore Island / Caribbean
Medical School 13.5%

Other U.S. State 48.5%

Georgia 25.9%

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Figure 11: Respondent Attended Which Georgia Medical School, 2023

Respondent Attended Which Georgia Medical School
32 Morehouse School of Medicine

39 PCOMGeorgia

41 Mercer University School of Medicine

45 Medical College of Georgia

50 Emory University School of Medicine

593 Does not Apply/Out of State

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

18

Financial Information
Table 9: Education Debt, 2023

Current Level of Education Debt
$0 Less than $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$499,999 $500,000 or Greater
Total

Frequency
235 65 99 180 133 67 21
800

Percent
29.4% 8.1% 12.4% 22.5% 16.6% 8.4% 2.6%
100.0%

Figure 12: Current Level of Education Debt, 2023

250

235

Current Level of Education Debt

200 150 100
50 0 $0

180

99 65

133 67

21

Less than $100,000 - $200,000 - $300,000 - $400,000 - $500,000 or $100,000 $199,999 $299,999 $399,999 $499,999 Greater

19

Figure 13: Percent Having no Education Debt, 2019-2023

35.0% 34.0% 33.0% 32.0% 31.0% 30.0% 29.0% 28.0% 27.0% 26.0%

Percent Having No Education Debt, 2019-2023
34.6%
32.6%

30.3%

30.2%

29.4%

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Table 10: Total Scholarship Money Received for Medical School, 2023

Scholarship Money Received for Medical School
$0 Less than $100,000 $100,000 - $199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000 or Greater
Total

Frequency
625 130 25 15
5
800

Percent
78.1% 13.6% 3.1% 1.9% 0.6%
100.0%

20

Figure 14: Total Scholarship for Medical School
Scholarship Money Received for Medical School
700 625
600

500

400

300

200
100
0 $0

130

Less than $100,000

25
$100,000 $199,999

15
$200,000 $299,999

5
$300,000 - or Greater

21

Table 11: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2023

Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice
Less than $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$499,999 $500,000 or Greater
Total

Frequency
132 85 246 147 73 38
721

Percent
18.3% 11.8% 34.1% 20.4% 10.1% 5.3%
100.0%

Figure 15: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2023

Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice
300

250

246

200

150

132

100

85

50

147
73 38

0 Less than $100,000 - $200,000 - $300,000 - $400,000 - $500,000 or $100,000 $199,999 $299,999 $399,999 $499,999 Greater

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Practice Information
Table 12: Top 5 intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training, 2023

Top 5 Intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training
Patient Care / Clinical Practice Additional Subspecialty Training or Fellowship Chief Resident Teaching / Research Undecided
Total

Frequency Percent

513

66.5%

204

26.4%

31

4.0%

13

1.7%

11

1.4%

772

100.0%

Figure 16: Top 5 Intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training, 2023

Top 5 Intended Primary Activities after Current Year of

Training

Teaching / Research
1.7% Chief Resident

Undecided 1.4%

4.0%

Additional Subspecialty Training or Fellowship
26.4%

Patient Care/Clinical
Practice 66.5%

23

Table 13: Practice Setting, 2023
Practice Setting
Academic Setting Group Practice-as Employee Hospital-Inpatient Hospital-Ambulatory Care Group Practice-as Owner/Partner Other Hospital-Emergency Room Freestanding Health Center/Clinic Solo Practice Military Partnership (2 Person) Insurance Nursing home
Total

Frequency
275 162 146 41 36 32 28 15 12
9 5 1 1
763

Percent
36.0% 21.2% 19.1% 5.4% 4.7% 4.2% 3.7% 2.0% 1.6% 1.2% 0.7% 0.1% 0.1%
100.0%

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Table 14: Expect to be at Principal Practice for 4 or More Years by Program, 2023

Program Name
AdventHealth Redmond (Rome) Archbold Medical Center Atrium Health Floyd (Rome) Atrium Health Navicent (Macon) AU/UGA Medical Partnership-St. Mary's Healthcare (Athens) Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta) Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Board HCA Healthcare/Mercer University School of Medicine Houston Healthcare System (Warner Robins) Medical College of Georgia (Augusta) MCG @ AU-Memorial Satilla Health Waycross Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta) Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Gainesville) Northside Hospital Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center (Athens) Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown (Columbus) Piedmont Macon Medical Center (Macon) South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium WellStar Health System
Total

Expect to be at Principal Practice for 4 or

More Years

Yes

No

Total

Frequency Percent Frequency Percent

5

0.9%

5

2.0%

10

1

0.2%

0

0.0%

1

5

0.9%

1

0.4%

6

20

3.6%

8

3.3%

28

6

1.1%

2

0.8%

8

267

48.1%

116

47.3%

383

4

0.7%

2

0.8%

6

22

4.0%

6

2.4%

28

3

0.5%

1

0.4%

4

80

14.4%

30

12.2%

110

1

0.2%

0

0.0%

1

34

6.1%

17

6.9%

51

26

4.7%

9

3.7%

35

11

2.0%

8

3.3%

19

1

0.2%

1

0.4%

2

7

1.3%

6

2.4%

13

6

1.1%

4

1.6%

10

16

2.9%

11

4.5%

27

4

0.7%

0

0.0%

4

36

6.5%

18

7.3%

54

555 100.0% 245 100.0% 800

25

Table 15: Practice Location, 2023

Location of Primary Activity After Graduation Year
Other State Georgia Outside of US
Total

Frequency
416 376
8
800

Percent
52.0% 47.0% 1.0%
100.0%

Figure 17: Percent Staying in Georgia after Graduation, 2019-2023

60.0%

Percent Staying in Georgia After Graduation, 2019-2023

50.0% 40.0%

44.2%

44.9%

49.9%

47.0%

30.0%

26.4%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

26

Table 16: Practice Area, 2023

Practice Area
Inner City Suburban Other Area within Major City Small City (City Population Less than 50,000) Rural (County Population Less than 50,000)
Total

Frequency Percent

235

29.4%

226

28.3%

209

26.1%

81

10.1%

49

6.1%

800

100.0%

Figure 18: Percent Planning Rural Practice, 2019-2023

8.0% 7.0% 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% 0.0%

Percent Planning Rural Practice, 2019-2023

6.2%

7.1%

6.8%

6.1%

4.5%

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

27

Job Search
Table 17: Actively Job Searched, 2023

Actively Job Searched
No Yes
Total

Frequency
202 598
800

Table 18: Job Offers and Acceptance, 2023

Percent
25.3% 74.8%
100.0%

Been Offered a Job
Yes and accepted Not been offered Yes and declined
Total

Frequency
628 125 47
800

Table 19: Job Search Approaches, 2023

Percent
78.5% 15.6% 5.9%
100.0%

Job Search Approaches
Independent job search Third party representation Announcements / career fairs Other Want ads

Frequency
236 131 103 89 56

Note: Respondents could select multiple job search approaches.

Percent
33.3% 18.5% 14.5% 12.6% 7.9%

28

Table 20: Difficulty Finding a Job Rating, 2023

Difficulty Finding a Job Rating
Neutral Somewhat easy Very easy Somewhat difficult Very difficult
Total

Frequency
292 206 151 125 26
800

Table 21: Specific Difficulties in Finding a Job, 2023

Percent
36.5% 25.8% 18.9% 15.6% 3.3%
100.0%

Difficulty in Finding a Job
Other reason Not a favorable work/life balance Would not be satisfied with the job Lack of mentoring opportunities Did not have passion for the practice Practice did not communicate well Not enough challenge Practice was not collaborative Practice did not advocate for patients

Frequency
408 207 151 59 57 57 31 24
7

Percent
51.0% 25.9% 18.9% 7.4% 7.1% 7.1% 3.9% 0.3% 0.9%

Note: respondents could choose multiple options. The percentage shown is the percentage of respondents selecting that option.

29

Other Reasons for Difficulty in Finding a Job, 2023 In addition to the above answer options, respondents could give an open-ended answer choice. Their responses fell under the following categories: Location: these include wanting a desirable location or proximity to a city. Visa and Contractual Obligations: these include answers such as needing to find a job in a HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area), positions that sponsor visas, and military obligations. Position-Related Factors: these include employers being hesitant to hire new residency graduates, tedious employment processes, a lack of open positions in their specialty, and desiring practice opportunities without midlevel practitioners. Pay-Related Issues: some respondents mentioned the pay was below national average or otherwise not adequate to meet their expectations.
30

Table 22: Ratings and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Opportunities, and Rural Practice, 2023

Question or Statement

Rating Scale

In your job search, how strongly did you consider practicing in a rural area (county population less than 50,000)? If all of your medical school debt were forgiven, how likely would you consider a five-year obligation to practice in a rural setting (GA county population less than 50,000)?
What is your level of satisfaction with your salary/compensation?

1 = DID NOT CONSIDER 5 = STRONGLY CONSIDERED
1 = VERY UNLIKELY 5 = VERY LIKELY
1 = VERY DISSATISFIED 5 = VERY SATISFIED

Number of Responses
800
800
800

What is the likelihood you will return to Georgia to practice when your training is complete

1 = VERY UNLIKELY 5 = VERY LIKELY

800

What is your overall assessment of practice

opportunities in your specialty within 50 miles of

800

the site where you trained?

1 = VERY FEW JOBS

5 = MANY JOBS

What is your overall assessment of practice opportunities in your specialty nationally?

800

Overall, I am satisfied with the training I received.

800

1 = STRONGLY DISAGREE

5 = STRONGLY AGREE

I would choose to train at the same site again.

800

Average
2.3 2.9 3.7 3.3 3.2 3.8 4.3 4.1

31

Table 23: Reason for Leaving Georgia, 2023

Reason for Leaving Georgia

Frequency Percentage

Proximity to Family

200

Fellowship or Additional Medical Training

174

Better Jobs in Desired Location Outside Georgia

124

Better Salary Offered Outside Georgia

107

Better Jobs in Desired Practice Setting Outside Georgia

100

Better Job for Spouse/Partner Outside Georgia

76

Other Reason

73

Never Intended to Practice in Georgia

61

Overall Lack of Jobs/Practice Opportunities in Georgia

33

Better Jobs Outside Georgia that Meet Visa Requirements

24

Other Service Obligation

22

Cost of Starting a Practice

5

Cost of Malpractice Insurance in Georgia

1

25.0% 21.8% 15.5% 13.4% 12.5% 9.5% 9.1% 7.6% 4.1% 3.0% 2.8% 0.6% 0.1%

Note: Respondents could select multiple reasons for leaving Georgia. The percentage shown is the percentage of respondents selecting that option.

32

Other Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2023 In addition to the above reasons for leaving Georgia after the current year of training, some respondents entered another reason in an open-ended format. The responses are organized into the following themes: Fellowship-related: Respondents mentioned leaving for additional training in a fellowship and needing more control over the fellowship matching process. Family: Respondents reiterated that they were leaving Georgia for family reasons or to accommodate a spouse's job or medical training. Political and policy related: Respondents mentioned the political climate (especially surrounding abortion and gun control) and policies such as Medicaid expansion and income tax burden. Service and Visa Considerations: Respondents mentioned military service and visa requirements for themselves and their spouses. Returning to Georgia: A few respondents clarified that they intend to return to Georgia after completing all their training. Job-Related Considerations: A few respondents mentioned leaving Georgia to find better jobs. Environmental Considerations: Some respondents mentioned the weather, traffic, urbanity, and proximity to natural features like mountains.
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Map 1: Location of Primary Activity After Current Year of Training, 2023
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Acknowledgments
This report was produced under the direction of Chet Bhasin, FACHE, Executive Director; Leanna Greenwood, MA, Data Team Supervisor; Augustine Agbontaen, MSIT, Data Analyst; and G.E. Alan Dever, MD PhD, Consultant. The Board would like to thank Georgia's Graduate Medical Education programs for their assistance with this survey. Thank you to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce Board Members for their leadership and support. Board Members
Chairman James Barber, MD Vice Chairman William Kemp Secretary/Treasurer Lily Henson, MD Garrett Bennett, MD Scott Bohlke, MD Kitty Carter-Walker, MD Carolyn Clevenger, DNP William Fricks, MD Steven Gautney, MSHA Michael Groover, DMD Indran Indrakrishnan, MD Terri McFadden, MD Amy Reeves, PA-C James Smith Jr, MD Joseph Walker, MD
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