Doc recruiting getting more creative: AMGA

Medical groups are getting more creative with their efforts to recruit and retain physicians, a new survey found. The use of mentoring programs, part-time work schedules and sabbaticals were found to be on the upswing in the survey, conducted by the American Medical Group Association and Cejka Search, a St. Louis-based executive search firm.

In 2007, 56% of the responding groups said that they assigned mentors to new physicians, compared with 52% in 2006 and 35% in 2005. “That reflects on the value of having a structured mentoring program to engage the physicians and give them the coaching that is needed to make them successful,” said Carol Westfall, Cejka’s president. “Because, often, a successful physician is a happy physician.”

Medical groups also are hiring more hospitalists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in order “to create a better clinical atmosphere,” according to the results, which were presented March 8 at the annual AMGA meeting in Orlando, Fla. The survey included responses from 43 medical groups representing a total of 14,705 physicians.

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Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.