Paul R. Dorf, director of the Hospital and Healthcare Compensation Service in Upper Saddle River, N.J., said of the physician marketplace, "frankly, I think it's going to get better." Mr. Dorf, who is an industry consultant, added, "Is there turmoil? Yes. But are physicians going to be poor? I don't think so."

"You're always going to have to pay someone extra to go to Minot, ND," said Mr. Dorf, the consultant.