HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND THE NEW GENERALIST PHYSICIAN

This study examines the relationship between income variables and phys ician specialty choice. On average, physicians in family practice earn less than physicians in other specialties. However, earlier studies f ail to agree on the effect that income variables have on the physician 's status as one of these ''generalists.'' This study finds that the t wo have a strong relationship. Nevertheless, the important factor is h ousehold income rather than the physician's own-earnings differential. This result is due to an extensive data set that includes the parents ' income level and the current earnings of the spouse. Additionally, t he data allow a preliminary examination of family practitioners that s ay that they would repeat their career. Finally, the data provide a co ntrol for the physician's attachment to the current practice arrangeme nt.