RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina is the sixth best state for doctors in the nation, a new study has found. The study, released Tuesday by WalletHub, is based on 19 metrics, including opportunity and competition, medical environment, average annual wage for physicians, punitive state medica l boards, malpractice award payout per capita, and annual malpractice liability insurance. According to the study, North Carolina ranks: 2nd in medical environment 2nd in malpractice award payout amount per capita 14th in projected physicians per capita by 2023 15th in annual wage of physicians 17th in average monthly starting salary of physicians 19th in annual malpractice liability insurance rate 20th in punitiveness of state medical board 21st in hospitals per capita 24th in opportunity and competition North Carolina holds a total score of 61.18, according to the study. The study found Montana is the best state for doctors. Indiana, South Dakota, Iowa, and Utah round out the top five. ...read more read less