Early-career physicians are entering a workforce that offers more career options, but also more complexity. Decisions about where to work, how long to stay, and what makes an opportunity attractive are increasingly shaped by the full employment experience—not compensation alone.

In this session, NEJM CareerCenter will share findings from The Future Physician Career, Unlocked, a national study of more than 350 U.S.-trained early-career physicians and residents. The research examines how physicians evaluate career opportunities, balance competing priorities, and think about flexibility, stability, workplace experience, and professional growth.

The presentation will also explore how schedules, leadership, role design, and technology influence both recruitment and retention. The findings reveal several assumptions about today's physician workforce that deserve a second look, offering practical insights that can help organizations strengthen both recruitment and retention strategies.

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of what early-career physicians value and how recruitment teams can use those insights to strengthen employer messaging, improve opportunity design, and support longer-term retention.