hmokiguess
5 hours ago
I'm not sure I get it, are you saying that wage alone should determine visa eligibility? I'm gonna guess that location is the primary reason here. Do you have any data, for example, on foreign workers that stay versus bail on rural/remote jobs in the long run? My rough guess is that there's more than just looking at the money. Maybe these doctors are picking these jobs as a gateway to later switch to a preferred location and aren't staying, so they are being more picky? (My comment is anecdotal and I have no basis just a hunch)
codebyaditya
5 hours ago
Fair point. To be clear we aren't saying wage should be the only rule, just that it's weird to see such a huge disconnect. Usually money talks.
Your "gateway" hunch is likely spot on. Most rural docs start on J-1 waivers (mandatory 3 years). If they actually stayed after that, we'd see way more H-1B conversions filed by those rural hospitals to keep them. Since the volume is so low, it suggests once the 3 years are up, they bail for the city. The wage premium just isn't enough to anchor them.