Ten Keys to Physician Retention
10. Continually Communicate Several years ago, AMN Healthcare/Merritt Hawkins recruited a neurologist to a growing group practice. When contacted some months later to see how he was fitting in with the group, we were informed that he was leaving because the group had not yet put his name on the door or on other signage, and he therefore assumed he was not wanted. A simple lapse in communication almost caused this group to lose a good doctor. This anecdote illustrates the importance of continual communication with the medical staff, and the hazards of assuming physicians have received a message when it has not been explicitly stated.
Physician communication should be both: • Formal, through regular medical staff surveys, and
• Informal, through regular contact in the physicians’ lounge, at lunch, in the operating room, or at informal gatherings such as “pizza conferences” or “ice cream conferences.” This concept is best encapsulated in a quote from a health system CEO that further reiterates the importance of communicating with staff physicians: “When you need the goodwill of physicians, it is too late to create it. My advice is get ahead of the competition by having a really good relationship with your doctors.”
For additional information about AMN Healthcare’s thought leadership resources and services, contact us physiciansolutions@amnhealthcare.com or visit AMNHealthcare.com to learn more.
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