Many attorneys who specialize in representing physicians in employment agreements advise their clients against signing the letter of intent (LOI) if the essential terms relayed therein are not satisfactory. For one, the signing of a letter of intent displays that both parties are generally on the same page, and it communicates that they wish to discuss advancing their professional relationship with exclusivity.

Furthermore, signing an LOI without negotiation provides the hiring party with leverage regarding key terms such as salary and length of contract. Should the terms of the letter be favorable and the physician sign, both parties can proceed in drafting the much lengthier and involved employment contract.

A physician letter of intent is, generally speaking, non-binding. Most states allow for negotiation post-signing so the physician in question can rest assured that they will not be held to most of the provisions relayed in the document. While the letter is considered non-binding, there will often be disclosures that state that the physician, should they sign, agree to negotiate with the employer exclusively for a set period of time, that the negotiations remain confidential, and that each party is responsible for their own attorney’s fees.

A physician, or medical doctor, is a healthcare professional that prevents, diagnoses, and treats diseases and injuries. The profession is divided into general practitioners who treat general illnesses, and specialist physicians who specialize in a particular field of medicine. The process of becoming a physician is a lengthy one as the profession requires a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school, and a period of time in a residency program. All states require licensure for physicians without exception. Tasks performed by a physician vary greatly depending on the specialty and practice of the individual; however, they can include any of the following:

• Diagnosing illnesses and injuries
• Performing regular checkups on patients
• Prescribing and administering medication and treatment plans
• Referring patients to specialists when necessary
• Recording detailed records of patients medical history
• Managing healthcare team including nurses and physician assistants
• Ordering tests for nurses or other professionals to perform
• Perform surgery to treat diseases and injuries

A physician’s assistant, abbreviated as PA, is a healthcare professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a physician. Their tasks all largely similar to those of a physician as they are required to provide diagnostic and therapeutic care to patients in nearly all areas of medicine. They are able to prescribe medication and create patient treatment plans independently of the physician supervisor. The primary difference between a PA and an MD is the level of autonomy of each profession; the level of supervision and responsibilities of both vary from state to state.

The annual salary of a physician varies in relation to their specialty and experience. Regardless, they are among the highest of all occupations as they require extensive education and bear a great deal of responsibility.

• AVG Salary: $208,000/yr (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• AVG Hourly Rate: $100/hr (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)