Burnout, Compensation, and Clinical Productivity: Impact on Career Satisfaction and Retention Among Community-Based Preceptors in the Southeastern United States

Community-based preceptors are essential to training future healthcare professionals, yet limited research exists on how burnout, compensation, and clinical productivity intersect in this workforce. A deeper understanding of these factors is critical to sustaining community-based medical education.<strong>&nbsp;</strong>This study examined the characteristics, motivations, and challenges of community-based preceptors across North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to inform targeted policy and support strategies. A 28-item cross-sectional survey was distributed via executive directors of state trade associations to known preceptors across the five states. The survey assessed demographics, teaching experiences, well-being, satisfaction, compensation, and clinical productivity. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 122 preceptors responded. Most were physicians practicing in family medicine, primarily located in North Carolina, and aged 40&ndash;49. Top motivations included serving as a role model, investing in students&rsquo; futures, and the joy of teaching. While preceptors reported overall satisfaction with their roles, many noted emotional exhaustion and dissatisfaction with faculty development opportunities. Only half received financial compensation, though most believed $1,000&ndash;$1,999 per student/month was fair. Precepting commonly extended the workday by 60&ndash;80 minutes, impacting productivity. Preceptors are primarily driven by intrinsic motivations but face persistent barriers, including time constraints, emotional strain, and insufficient compensation. Addressing these challenges through targeted incentives, institutional recognition, and structural supports is essential to sustaining and expanding the community-based preceptor workforce. These findings call for coordinated, equity-focused strategies to support long-term preceptor engagement across diverse clinical settings.