What are the biggest challenges in physician recruitment and how can you overcome them?

1 Challenge 1: Competition

One of the biggest challenges in physician recruitment is the intense competition for talent among healthcare organizations. According to a survey by Merritt Hawkins, 65% of physicians received 26 or more job solicitations in the past year, and 45% received 51 or more. This means that physicians have many options and can be selective about where they work. To overcome this challenge, you need to differentiate your organization from others and showcase your unique value proposition. This could include highlighting your mission, vision, culture, benefits, incentives, opportunities, and impact. You also need to be proactive and responsive in your recruitment process, reaching out to potential candidates early, following up regularly, and providing timely feedback.

2 Challenge 2: Expectations

Another challenge in physician recruitment is aligning the expectations of both parties and ensuring a good fit. Physicians have different preferences and needs when it comes to their work environment, schedule, compensation, autonomy, and career development. Likewise, healthcare organizations have different goals, standards, policies, and cultures that they expect their physicians to adhere to. To overcome this challenge, you need to communicate clearly and honestly with your candidates and establish mutual trust and respect. You also need to conduct thorough assessments and interviews to evaluate their skills, personality, values, and fit. Additionally, you need to provide realistic job previews and site visits to give them a glimpse of what it is like to work for your organization.

3 Challenge 3: Retention

A third challenge in physician recruitment is retaining the physicians you have hired and preventing turnover. According to a study by CompHealth, the average cost of physician turnover is $1.2 million per physician, and the average time to replace a physician is 24 months. This means that losing a physician can have significant financial and operational consequences for your organization. To overcome this challenge, you need to invest in your physician's engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty. This could include providing them with adequate support, recognition, feedback, mentoring, training, and advancement opportunities. You also need to foster a positive and collaborative culture that values their input, respects their autonomy, and promotes their well-being.

5 Challenge 5: Technology

A fifth challenge in physician recruitment is leveraging technology to enhance your recruitment process and outcomes. Technology can be a powerful tool to help you reach, engage, and evaluate potential candidates, as well as to streamline and optimize your recruitment workflow. However, technology can also pose some challenges, such as maintaining data security and privacy, ensuring compatibility and integration, and managing costs and resources. To overcome this challenge, you need to choose the right technology solutions for your organization and use them wisely and effectively. This could include using platforms that allow you to post job ads, search resumes, communicate with candidates, schedule interviews, and track progress. You also need to ensure that your technology solutions are compliant, user-friendly, and scalable.

6 Challenge 6: COVID-19

A sixth challenge in physician recruitment is adapting to the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare industry and the physician labor market. COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges and opportunities for healthcare organizations and physicians, such as increased demand, reduced supply, changing regulations, new modes of care delivery, and evolving expectations. To overcome this challenge, you need to be flexible and resilient in your recruitment strategy and respond to the changing needs and preferences of your candidates and your organization. This could include offering telehealth options, providing COVID-19 testing and vaccination, adjusting compensation and benefits, and supporting physician wellness and safety.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?