Are you having staffing issues and problems with turnover? Does the cost of constantly recruiting physicians get brought up at every meeting? If either of these situations sound familiar, your organization might have a culture problem. There is a growing amount of discussion regarding culture and fit, and how physicians today are placing more emphasis on finding a workplace that is aligned with their values. The working professional’s website, LinkedIn, sponsored research into the role culture and fit play in workplace satisfaction and retention.
Do you know what is most important to your physician team? If you are operating under dated assumptions, you would probably say it’s all about the money. In today’s healthcare environment, physicians who are unhappy with their current situation have ample opportunities to move on and find a position with more control over their work/life balance and an environment that is consistent with their values. According to LinkedIn, 70% of professionals today would not work at a leading organization if it meant tolerating a bad workplace culture. If you think you can buy their happiness and loyalty, think again. An impressive 65% of survey respondents are willing to put up with lower pay if it means they can work in a better environment.
As you already know, physicians are suffering from burnout in record numbers. To stem the churn, administrators need to gain a better understanding of what type of culture exists currently, and what they envision for the future. A good place to start is by reviewing a study conducted by Jackson Physician Search, The Engagement Gap. The results indicate a vast difference between what physicians believe about the workplace and what the executives believe. For example, less than 50% of physicians believe they are being treated fairly, while almost 70% of executives believe that their doctors are treated fairly. In that same vein, only 48% of physicians feel they are always treated with respect, while 78% of executives feel that physicians are treated respectfully. One area where doctors and administrators agree is that the majority of both groups admit that communication needs to be improved.
Once the culture and types of behaviors needed to support and foster a better work environment are understood, leadership must clearly communicate the message throughout the organization via words AND actions. None of this happens overnight in any workplace, but over time, tangible results are visible through improved performance, stronger physician engagement, and more successful recruitment and retention.
For more information about how Jackson Physician Search can help you find and retain qualified physicians and advanced practice professionals that fit within your culture and values, contact one of our experienced healthcare recruitment professionals today.
