Former trainees in Critical Care Medicine (CCM) were polled regarding the reasons which have dissuaded intensivists from continuing practice in this field. Among the reasons cited, the most common were poor reimbursement for services rendered and the constant rivalry among practitioners in various fields for responsibilities in caring for the critically ill. A greater portion of anesthesiologists have discontinued practice in CCM than internists. Among those trained in CCM fellowship programs who are still practicing CCM, internists are most numerous.