IFM | Family Physician Compensation: Myths, Models and Using the AAFP Career Benchmark Dashboard
Release Date: 06/29/2026
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info_outlineIn this episode of Inside Family Medicine, we hear from Norman Chenven, MD, founding CEO of Austin Regional Clinic (ARC), and AAFP Director of Career and Practice, Tracey Allen-Ehrhart. They discuss family physician compensation, common income myths, and tools for evaluating job offers. Chenven explains why he chose family medicine and outlines how compensation varies by geography, practice type, work hours, productivity, coding, patient satisfaction, and value-based quality measures. Allen-Ehrhart highlights the AAFP Career Benchmark Dashboard, which offers family physicians real-world compensation data and includes filters by role and state for tailored searches. They also compare employed roles and practice ownership, discuss risks associated with private equity and health system stability, and share advice and resources for evaluating employers and reviewing contracts.
Topics by Timestamp
00:00 Welcome and Guests
01:20 Why Family Medicine
02:27 Compensation Basics
05:05 Benchmark Dashboard
06:27 Ownership vs Employment
09:52 Myths and Reality
10:50 Advice for New Docs
13:42 Negotiate Your Worth
16:17 Resources and Wrap Up
Additional Resources
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