This paper, published in BMC Health Services Research, explores how Portuguese public sector physicians are adapting to the recent economic crisis in Europe and evaluates their ability to keep performing their functions under deteriorating conditions. Age, types of specialization, valuation of job flexibility and independence were significantly associated with changes in public sector hours between 2010 and 2015. Being divorced, not Portuguese, of younger age, having a poor opinion of recent government health policies, and working a high number of hours per week are all factors more likely found in physicians considering migration. On the other hand, enjoying current working environment, not wanting to disrupt provision of service, and leisure time were found to protect against scaling down public sector hours or considering migration. Understanding the influence of personal characteristics on adaptation to changing circumstances is vital in designing policies to improve working conditions and retention.