Preserving the Future of Infectious Diseases: Why We Must Address the Decline in Compensation for Clinicians and Researchers

Infectious diseases (ID) physicians play a pivotal role in patient care and public health, yet concerns are mounting about their under-compensation compared with other medical specialties. This trend sees ID physicians, including new graduates, receiving lower remuneration than their general and hospital medicine peers, despite their significant contributions. The persistent disparity in compensation has been identified as a key factor behind the declining interest in the ID specialty among medical students and residents, potentially threatening patient care quality, research advancement, and diversity within the ID workforce. This viewpoint underscores the urgent need for the ID community to rally behind the Infectious Diseases Society of America in advocating for fair compensation for ID physicians and researchers. While focusing on wellness and work–life balance is vital, it is critical to address compensation, a significant source of distress for physicians. Failure to confront the issue of under-compensation promptly may jeopardize the future growth and sustainability of the ID specialty.