Photo: Getty Images/George Doyle

In a two-question online survey, physicians were asked to select what they thought was the top issue the incoming president should address in his first year in office. Not surprisingly, even before the tsunami of U.S. corporate layoff announcements began, more than two-thirds of respondents identified the "U.S. economy" as the most pressing year-one issue.

In response to an open-ended question asking for their advice regarding the new president's first 100 days in office, however, physicians offered comments about many concerns. Moreover, like many other Americans, many physicians see the major policy issues as interdependent in preparing the United States to better compete in the new global economy.

A number of physicians saw energy and economic policy as one critical area of focus for the incoming president.

"The United States should regain its pre-eminent status in the global economy and manufacturing industry. This will happen only if we embark upon gaining energy independence from foreign oil," a Michigan-based general surgeon advised. "We should start developing all viable sources of alternative energy. This should be on the same level as the Manhattan Project."

Several physicians also suggested forming nonpartisan task forces of experts in their respective fields to develop recommendations for tackling major issues like the economy, energy policy, healthcare reform, and foreign policy. "Set a 90-day limit to have each task force to come up with a step-by-step implementation plan," a Connecticut psychiatrist suggested.

Here are some quotes from survey participants:

U.S. ECONOMY

"We need to eliminate the pork-barrel spending and fix Medicare/Medicaid or these individually. We won't be able to get great care due to the low reimbursement. Charge Iraq for our troops keeping the peace there and put that money toward reducing the deficit."

—anesthesiologist, Iowa

"Work to stabilize the stock market and the dollar. Get more people working so we can get the economy stable and get consumer confidence up so they will start spending money again."

—radiologist, Maryland

"Slash government spending and establish an outline to balance the federal budget."

—radiologist, New Mexico

"Create transparency in all financial transactions. Inspire all Americans to have a budget and stick to it."

—general surgeon, Alabama

"Stop spending and start new. Cut all extra programs. Add items on an as-needed basis in small increments; only increase funding after proof of need and proof of efforts to decrease costs."

—anesthesiologist, Texas

"Sign legislation imposing regulation of the mortgage and credit industry."

—radiologist, Louisiana

"Fix the economy ... reduce taxes to stimulate businesses. Reduce antitrust constraints, which were fine when there was no globalization but now work against American business interests that are competing against businesses around the world. At the same time, initiate all of the capabilities for production of energy—all of them at once and not in a piecemeal fashion. Eliminate pork-barrel politics and earmark policies from intrusion into our lawmaking."

—radiologist, California

"Prudently review spending and begin by decreasing wasteful government spending. Re-evaluate the huge amount of money being spent overseas and try to focus on optimizing American education and healthcare."

—general surgeon, Virginia

"Balance the budget by having Iraq pay a portion of the $10 billion we spend a month to support its recovery."

—plastic surgeon, Ohio