Physician Recruitment: Hospital vs. Private Practices

Recently there has been a lot of media attention on the continuing trend of hospital employment and also the decrease in the private practice.  In an article published today from American Medical News it is suggested that hospitals are much more aggressive in recruiting physicians than their private practice counterparts, attributing increasing growth to more progressive recruiting.

Hospitals also more frequently utilize agencies to help fill their physician openings, helping present more hospital employed positions to active candidates through physician staffing agencies.

There will always be a place for the private practice physician in every physician employment model environment, however to remain competitive and profitable and access the best physician candidates each type of employment model needs to be willing to mold to economic trends.

Read the full article by clicking here: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/07/23/bil20723.htm

Contract Language: Negotiating Part-Time Employment for Physicians

There has been an increasing trend in part-time employment opportunities for physicians, both male and female physicians.  In order to balance a quality of life with dedicated time for both family and a medical practice, many physicians are seeking part-time opportunities.

According to a recent survey by the American Medical Group Management Association and Cejka Search, 21% percent of U.S. physicians are working part time, compared with 13% in 2005.


It's important for physicians to approach the contract negotiation process of part-time employment opportunities just as a full-time employment situation.  The same issues need to be determined and can also be negotiated during the signing process and before the physician commits to any agreement.  Employment status, compensation, benefits, and insurance all need to be in clear, written format, as well as the work expectations of the physician and other clinical issues such as call and restrictive covenants.


American Medical News has published an article outlining other issues to ensure a part-time employment contract is mutually beneficial to both parties.  Read the full article by clicking here: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/07/16/bicb0716.htm

Physician Employment Models

Hospital employment is prevalent as the current most popular physician employment model, however there are still other models to consider.  The trend is cyclical as well, during any climate it's important for physicians to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses associated with all employment models before signing an employment agreement.

This article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine elaborates on different types of employment models offered as well as an assessment of the risks and benefits associated with each respecitve model.

To read the full article click here: http://www.nejmcareercenter.org/article/6541/sustainable-income-understanding-the-benefits-and-risks-of-various-compensation-models/

Private Practices: How to Survive Alongside the Trend of Hospital Employment

There is so much press regarding the trend towards hospital employment, but for those physicians dedicated to a private practice model, how do you survive amongst all of the other local physicians becoming employed by the larger hospital systems?  As more and more physicians take positions in hospital groups, independent practitioners face an array of challenges. If you are a physician with a practice in an area where the hospitals have acquired many of the local physicians, you may be finding it increasingly difficult to survive.  To counterbalance the power of hospitals, private practice physicians and their partners can form a larger single-specialty group, an independent practice association (IPA), or some other clinical integration vehicle. As hospital competition grows, physicians in private models are finding other options to remain competitive and profitable.  Some options private practice physicians have in order to compete with local employed physicians are IPAs, physician-hospital organizations, and group practices without walls.  Smaller practices can unite to leverage themselves against larger, employed systems.  There will always be a place for the private practice physician, and private groups can remain profitable in every employment climate, although they may have to evolve with the times.   Read more in the MedScape article by clicking here: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/765250

2011 Physician Compensation Survey Data: Physicians Practice

Physician's Practice has published their 2011 survey results on physician compensation and how health form effected compensation last year, as well as future projections for how compensation may be directly effected in the years to come. The survey had participation of more than 1,700 doctors in every specialty.

The site has also created slides to determine how physicians are currently faring with the recent government changes implemented last year. They also provide information and guidance on how to cope with shifting reimbursement while maintaining income during transitions.

Access the full report by clicking here: http://www.physicianspractice.com/physician-compensation-survey/content/article/1462168/1979110?pageNumber=2

Physician Employment Outlook: Market Strong for Physicians Seeking Employment

The increase in demand for physicians continues to remain strong; data proves if you are a physician looking for a position it is a buyer's market. The most in-demand specialties continue to be Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine physicians, however most all physician specialists will have their choices of employment options.

As always geography is the most limited option when evaluating physician opportunities, the larger and more desirable cities will always offer positions based on supply and demand, and there continues to be significant demand from physicians for bigger metropolitan areas with significant medical and educational presence. 

According to a recent article in Physician's Practice blog site, healthcare employment remains strong for physicians seeking positions, employers seeking physicians have a more tangible struggle identifying talent in such a competitive market. More physician positions are currently opening than physician candidates are available to fill them. Read the full article by clicking here: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/content/article/1462168/2073586

Further identifying the shortage, HEALTHeCAREERS released physician posting results from the first quarter of 2012 last week. Their data emphasizes growing evidence of a talent shortage among physicians, as well as nurses and health IT staff. According to the results of physician postings on their sites the healthcare industry continues to face a talent shortage, particularly among physicians and non-entry level nurses. Access the full report by clicking here: http://www.healthecareers.com/accp/article/healthecareers-network-releases-q1-2012-healthcare-jobs-snapshot/170269

Hospital Employment Contracts: Are They as Secure as Physicians Think?

In this healthcare environment where possible new changes in laws and the government could effect the future of healthcare, many physicians are seeking hospital employment to secure their positions. However it is crucial for physicians to have a good understanding of the employment agreement before they sign it to make sure the position is as secure as they think it will be.

In today's American Medical News an article highlights 2 traps in some hospital employment contracts many physican's dont realize until after they have already signed and started: All Physicians Sign the Same Contract and Employment by Hospitals is Less Risky than Private Practice.

Read the full article in American Medical News, or click here: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/30/bicb0430.htm

Neurosurgery Market Watch

Third edition of Neurosurgery Market Watch now available online!

Our feature article is an analysis of hospital employment positions for Neurosurgeons. We have a new private practice featured in our practice profile, while health lawyer Roderick Holloman addresses contract and employment challenges in our Legal Corner column. And don’t forget to check out our standing sections, Where the Neurosurgery Jobs Are and the Featured Opportunity.

Click here to read the full issue: http://harlequinna.com/neurosurgery-market-watch/

Avoiding the Wrong Fit: A Physician’s Guide to Evaluating Culture

Assessing a physician opportunity is crucial to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship is established upon signing. Evaluating a group's culture to confirm both parties have the same vision and expectations during the interview process is a very important way to make sure the move is a long-term one.

There are many factors to consider in evaluating a physician job opportunity: community need, support, compensation, the core values of the group, mission, location, etc., however culture is one of the most important considerations.

This article in the New England Journal of Medicine elaborates on exploring the culture of a group during the interview process.


Read the full article by clicking here:
http://www.nejmcareercenter.org/article/5439/avoiding-the-wrong-fit-a-physician-s-guide-to-evaluating-culture/

Increase in Part-Time Physician Employment

While part-time has been a documented increasing trend amongst women physicians, a new study also determines there is an increase in part-time employment from male physicians as well. Some of the largest medical groups are increasing part-time employment for all experience levels of physicians, for both men and women.

The part-time employment situation can be mutually beneficial to both parties; at any stage of their career physicians have more flexibility and quality of life, while hospitals and medical groups have adequate coverage and patient care.

In 2011, part-time physicians represented 25% of the workforce in large groups, up from 13% in 2005, according to the latest physician retention survey conducted by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) and Cejka Search.

Male physicians account for 62% of physicians in the groups responding to the survey. The percentage of male physicians who are part-time more than tripled from 2005 to 2011, increasing from 7% to 22%. The part-time rate for women physicians increased at a slower clip, from 29% to 44%. The survey shows that 3 in 4 groups offer a 4-day full-time work week.

Large medical groups and hospitals are currently transitioning employment options to attract new physicians and provide more flexible options for existing physicians, thus helping with retention. In 2011, the turnover rate was 6%, which was slightly down from 6.4% in 2005.

In this healthcare environment it is crucial for hospitals and medical groups to remain flexible and offer alternate employment options. Part-time employment is one way to appeal to many practicing physicians at any stage of their career.

Read more at MedScape, or click here:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/760627