Oncologists in Top 10 of High-Earning Specialties

 Blogger's Note: response rate was low which may scew results (averages); ASCO report 2008: nearly 10,500 oncologists in the U.S. (as at 2005)

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Oncologists in Top 10 of High-Earning Specialties

".... With an average annual compensation of $295,000, oncologists were number 7 of 25 medical specialties surveyed."

"The report compiles the results from an online survey of 24,216 American physicians conducted in February 2012. Oncologists made up 2% of all respondents (n = 433)."

"These responses were recorded in February 2012, before the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) issued its recommendation on 5 cancer practices that must stop, which include cutting down on expensive imagining tests in cancer patients. It will be interesting to look at the responses to this question next year to see if the ASCO recommendation has had any effect on oncologists' attitudes about testing."

Medscape: Oncologists Lower on Happiness Scale Than Most Specialists

Oncologists Lower on Happiness Scale Than Most Specialists
 
March 22, 2011 — Treating cancer patients for a living might not make for the happiest of specialists, according to the Medscape Physician Lifestyle Report: 2012.
When asked how happy are with their lives outside of work, the average happiness score for oncologists was 3.89 out of 5.00 — slightly less than the relatively cheerful happiness score of 3.96 for all physicians who responded to the survey. "With a score of 3.89, oncologists were tied with plastic and general surgeons for twentieth place in the list of 25 specialties surveyed," write survey author Carol Peckham, director of editorial development, and colleagues from Medscape.............

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"Terminal Illness?
Perhaps like everyone else, oncologists aren't sure what they would do if told they had a terminal illness.
Some 52% said they would chose quality over length of life, but responses were decidedly age-dependant; 37% of those 31 to 40 years of age said they would treat their disease aggressively, compared with only about 10% of those 60 years of age.
Spirituality and religious views also played a role. More than 52% of oncologists without a belief system and 56% of those with beliefs but no active practice report that they would choose quality of life over extending life. Slightly fewer (49%) of those with active religious practice report that they would prefer palliative care over lengthening their life."