The income of psychiatrists: adaptation during difficult economic times.

The earnings of psychiatrists are substantially lower than the earnings of physicians in procedurally oriented and surgical specialties of medicine. The authors offer evidence, however, that when it is compared to other cognitive medical specialties, such as pediatrics and internal medicine, psychiatry is the highest paid specialty on an hourly basis. In recent years, psychiatrists' income has improved, largely because of enhanced productivity and efficiency, diversification of treatments, work in multiple settings, the expansion of group practice, and subspecialization. The authors provide an optimistic perspective on the future of psychiatry as a medical specialty.