About Attending Compass
Why this tool exists, who built it, and how we ensure data accuracy.
Our Mission
Attending Compass exists to solve a critical gap that became personal:
During a family medicine resident's interview season, we watched her face an overwhelming decision matrix—
comparing job offers across dozens of dimensions with no integrated tool to make sense of it all.
Spreadsheets miss the forest. Glassdoor lacks medical specifics. Websites hide true working conditions.
Each offer came with different tradeoffs: higher salary but lower loan repayment support, better EMR but longer commute,
prestigious program but less clinical autonomy.
Attending Compass fills this gap by building a transparent, data-driven comparison tool
where FM residents can weight their own priorities and see which offers actually align with their values—
not what's "objectively best," but what's best for them.
What started as a tool to help one FM resident has expanded into a resource for the entire field.
We believe family medicine deserves better, and residents deserve clarity.
Who We Are
Built to Help Someone We Love
Family Medicine Career Intelligence Platform
Attending Compass was created by a spouse supporting a family medicine resident approaching match day and interview season.
Watching her navigate dozens of job offers across competing dimensions—compensation, loan repayment, call burden, EMR choice,
mission fit, geography—made it clear: there's no single tool that brings clarity to this decision.
What started as a personal project to help her has become a resource for the entire family medicine community.
We believe FM residents deserve transparent, data-driven comparison tools to make the most important career decision
with confidence, not guesswork.
How We Source Data
Every piece of data in Attending Compass comes from verified, authoritative sources.
We don't guess—we cite, verify, and update continuously.
Our Primary Data Sources:
Data Accuracy & Maintenance
Attending Compass is actively maintained and updated. Here's how we ensure accuracy:
- Monthly Reviews: We compare our salary data against MGMA and BLS releases and update quarterly
- Employer Verification: Major employers are contacted annually to verify compensation bands, benefits, and policies
- Loan Program Updates: NHSC, PSLF, and NRSA rates are updated when federal policy changes
- User Feedback: Physicians using the tool can report inaccuracies directly; corrections are prioritized
- Transparency: All data is attributed to source; no speculation or proprietary "black box" scoring
Our Commitment to Neutrality
Attending Compass is independent and unaffiliated with any employer. We do not receive
sponsorship, advertising revenue, or preferential placement fees from any healthcare organization.
Our goal is to empower physicians with unbiased information. If you notice any employer data that appears
inaccurate or outdated, please contact us at attending@attendingcompass.com.
Our Limitations & Disclaimers
What Attending Compass does NOT claim:
- We do not represent any employer's official compensation data (always verify with HR)
- Salary ranges reflect market averages; individual offers vary
- We cannot predict personal culture fit—what works for one physician may not for another
- Loan repayment eligibility depends on individual circumstances (consult your loan servicer)
- This tool is educational, not legal or financial advice
Privacy & Data Security
Your data is yours. Attending Compass respects your privacy:
- Your comparison scores and notes are stored locally in your browser (no server collection by default)
- If you sign in, your saved comparisons are encrypted and only visible to you
- We never sell or share your personal data with employers
- Read our full Privacy Policy for details
Get In Touch
Questions? Corrections? Feature requests? We'd love to hear from you.