Is anyone here in academic medicine, and if so, do you find it more agreeable than private practice? For her first attending job, my wife just took a faculty position at her dream school. For this you are paid partly in prestige -- she could've earned a lot more in private practice. But the benefits are very nice and there are some interesting bonus opportunities. What intrigues her the most, though, are research opportunities and access to the toughest cases. She doesn't think she'll ever want to retire completely, but wants early financial independence so she can do whatever she wants professionally.
I've done academic medicine and I'm currently in private practice.
Benefits of academic medicine:
Networking with like minded individuals, ability to meet & do research with the best and brightest
Better caliber colleagues
Prestige
Benefits - usually professional funds, travel, visibility
Usually more seasoned/developed retention/benefits like life insurance, paid leave, etc.
cutting edge technology, beta testing, etc.
Benefits of private practice:
Salary
In general, less stress
Less hours
More security (IMO) due to more seasoned HR rules - no chasing tenure or funding, etc.
My spouse and I were both in academic medicine with a young child. That didn't work. I washed up and have the private practice job now. The thing I miss the most is the wonderful, smart people I used to work with. But, I get to spend more time with my child and I have less guilt about it. There are definite benefits to both sides and the grass is always greener. I'd love to go back into academics some day, but maybe when my kid is older and doesn't need or want me so much.