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Neonatologist salary: factors, equity and gender

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 359–365 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

Physician compensation has been found to be influenced by gender, academic affiliation, specialty, productivity, and time in practice. This study explores their impact in the field of neonatology to inform institutional strategic planning and decisions by current and future practitioners.

Study design

A voluntary anonymous survey was distributed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine with a 15% response rate. The survey contained questions assessing clinician characteristics, work environment, and professional productivity. Statistical analysis was done using JMP Pro 14.0.0 by SAS.

Results

Median salary was $256,000 (interquartile range, $213,608–315,000). Generalized linear model found that years post fellowship, academic affiliation, gender, practice location, professional duties, and clinical team member types independently influenced expected salary.

Conclusion

Several factors influence the expected compensation of this cohort of neonatologists, even after adjustments for differences in clinician characteristics, work environment, and productivity.

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Fig. 1: Components of compensation and total cash compensation for full-time neonatologists.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine for allowing access to its membership to conduct this work. We would also like to thank the members of the Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine for their willing participation.

Author contributions

EH conceptualized and designed the study, designed the data collection instrument, collected data, carried out initial analysis, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. HAF reviewed the data collection tool, critically reviewed statistical analysis, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. RS reviewed the data collection tool, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Eric Horowitz

  2. Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Henry A. Feldman

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Renate Savich

Authors
  1. Eric Horowitz
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  2. Henry A. Feldman
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  3. Renate Savich
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eric Horowitz.

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Horowitz, E., Feldman, H.A. & Savich, R. Neonatologist salary: factors, equity and gender. J Perinatol 39, 359–365 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0304-7

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