Mississippi Named 'Best State to Practice' for Second Straight Year

NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second straight year, the Magnolia State is tops when it comes to a physician-friendly locale to practice medicine.

Each year, Physicians Practice compiles its list of the "Best States to Practice," based on several analytics including cost of living, disciplinary actions taken against physicians, tax burden per capita, and physician density. Those states that consistently finish in the top 10 for each of the six qualitative categories are deemed to be most physician-friendly in the number-driven rankings.

As it did in 2013, Mississippi finished at the top of all U.S. states (and the District of Columbia), with Alabama, Texas, and Nevada rounding out the top four states. The following states also performed well in this year's analysis: Tennessee, South Carolina, Indiana, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

The key factors that elevated Mississippi to top of the list included low rates of physician density, cost of living, and tax burden, as well as very low malpractice payouts.

In addition to highlighting the four top states in its October 2014 journal, Physicians Practice also offers more information online for physicians to make their own determinations on the best location for them. A clickable map of the U.S., allows users to view the data points for each state and the District of Columbia, and the "Find Your Best State" tool lets users assign different weights to the metrics to sort the most physician-friendly states based on their personal preferences.

"Our Best States to Practice rankings are a roadmap for physicians to guide them to the best locale to practice medicine, based on the state climate," said Keith L. Martin, group editorial director for Physicians Practice. "And like all road maps, some things are outside the 'route' — so we don't take into account things like school systems, arts and entertainment, and recreation in our rankings, which are also important to physicians and their families. But we can get the discussion started on the ideal destination."

About UBM Medica US

Addressing today's healthcare information needs, UBM Medica US, delivers strategic, integrated communications solutions and comprehensive reach -- online, in print, via custom programs and live events. Improving the effectiveness of healthcare through information and education, UBM Medica US provides unbiased clinical, practical, and business information for physicians, providers and payers resulting in improved quality of care for patients around the world. Through journals, magazines, online communities, live and digital events, and other valuable resources, UBM Medica US also delivers comprehensive communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries. Online communities include CancerNetwork.com, ConsultantLive.com, DiagnosticImaging.com, RheumatologyNetwork.com, OBGYN.net, PhysiciansPractice.com, PsychiatricTimes.com and SearchMedica.com. UBM Medica US is part of UBM Americas which, through a range of aligned interactive environments, both physical and digital – increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences through meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections.  Headquartered in New York, UBM Americas brings together UBM's healthcare business, UBM Medica US; UBM Tech's technology communities, live events and custom services; UBM Canon's advanced design and manufacturing event, online and print brands; UBM Connect New York's catering, cruise shipping, contact-center management, and fine, specialty and custom chemical communities; and UBM Mexico's concrete, construction and hospitality services shows.  For more information, visit www.UBMMedicaUS.com.

About UBM plc

UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company.  We help businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content.  Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; follow us on Twitter at @UBM_plc to get the latest UBM corporate news.

Media contact:
Jason J. Golden
Content Marketing Manager
203-523-7040
[email protected]

SOURCE UBM Medica US