Physicians earn nearly five times the average American salary. Yet when it comes to credit access, they’re often overlooked or misunderstood by traditional lenders.
Two studies conducted by our Scientific Research Committee members have confirmed it.
Research-Backed Insights: Two Landmark Studies
At the heart of our mission is data. Through the work of our Scientific Research Committee, two recent studies shine a light on the financial landscape facing physicians across the country.
Study 1: Financial Wellness in Medicine
Analyzing 3,843 physician borrowers, this study uncovered surprising insights:
“The median FICO score of attending physicians is 712, six points below the U.S. average, despite significantly higher salaries.”
- Primary care physicians had statistically lower credit scores than specialists
- FICO scores remain stable up to 30 years in practice, a sign of reliability
- Yet physicians still face heavy financial and emotional burdens from debt
- These pressures may be contributing to physicians leaving medicine
Study 2: Physicians as Borrowers
Presented at the Society of General Internal Medicine (New England), this cross-sectional study of 1,667 borrowers found:
“Attending physicians had stronger FICO scores than trainees across all regions, but credit card consolidation was still the most common reason for borrowing.”
“In-training physicians frequently cited relocation expenses and faced limited access to credit, adding stress and strain.”
Where We’re Sharing the Research
We’re committed to sharing these findings with the medical community at large. Upcoming presentations include:
- Upcoming Presentation: American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting (ANES25) — presented by Dr. Wael Saasouh
- Upcoming Presentation: AAP Experience (American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference) — presented by Peter Palumbo
What This Means for Doc2Doc
We believe these findings confirm what we’ve built our business on:
The credit system misunderstands Doctors. They are penalized by a system that wasn’t designed for them. Despite their earning potential and reliability, doctors face barriers to credit access because traditional lenders focus on outdated metrics, like FICO scores, without context.
That’s why Doc2Doc exists. We aim to offer smarter, doctor-specific lending. We won’t penalize doctors for their path; we design around it.
Most lenders rely heavily on metrics like the FICO score—without context. But context is everything.
How Doc2Doc Does Things Differently
That’s where Doc2Doc Lending comes in.
Our doctor-first underwriting model looks at what others ignore:
- Where a doctor is in their training or practice journey
- Their income trajectory and specialty
- The context behind their debt, including student loans and relocation
- A track record of responsible repayment over time
We lend smarter because we know more, and because we’re built by physicians who’ve walked the same path- the data backs it up.
Why This Matters
For too long, physicians have been underserved by the very systems that should support them. At Doc2Doc, we’re changing that—using data, empathy, and first-hand experience to build a better financial future for doctors everywhere.
Your path to financial wellness doesn’t need to be compromised by outdated credit standards. Let’s design something better—together.
