The doctor is …

A report released Monday (April 18) by the American Medical Group Association suggests physician turnover is increasing as economic conditions improve.

For the first time since 2008, physician turnover has increased, reminding medical groups of the delicate balance between physician supply and demand, according to the 6th annual Physician Retention Survey from Cejka Search and the American Medical Group Association (AMGA).

In 2010 total turnover was 6.1% compared to 5.9% in 2009, and appears to track with reports of modest improvement in the U.S. economy. The change also is consistent with anecdotal reports and findings in the 2008 survey that the worsening economy and plummeting home sales cause physicians to delay retirement and relocation – key drivers of recruitment and activity.

"Although shortages still persist in today’s physician workforce, we have seen exponential growth in the size of medical groups, many of which are taking the lead in developing new care models that will increase patient access and keep physician satisfaction and retention high," Dr. Donald W. Fisher, AMGA president and CEO, said in a statement. "Medical groups are actively addressing the needs of physicians throughout their careers, providing mentoring and leadership opportunities, and flexible work options."

The Cejka Search and AMGA 2010 Physician Retention Survey was distributed via e-mail to 383 medical organizations, representing the entire AMGA medical group membership. Survey data was collected from November 2010 through January 2011. A total of 62 survey responses were compiled, representing a 16.2% survey response rate. In 2010, the 62 respondents collectively employed 17,624 physicians.

REPORT FINDINGS
• Looking ahead, the majority of respondents in the 2010 survey said they believe that physician retirement will increase (27%) or continue at the current rate (65%).

• The composition of the respondent group reflects changes in the health care industry as groups consolidate, more physicians choose employed opportunities and women pursue careers in medicine.

• The average size of the groups responding to the survey has nearly doubled in the last six years, from an average of 146 physicians to 284 physicians.

• Female physicians comprised 34% of physicians represented in the 2010 survey, compared with 28% in 2005.

• In the 2010 survey, about half (51%) of respondents said they do not encourage physicians to delay their retirement, but 49% do in some circumstances. Of those who try to keep physicians in practice, they most frequently incent them with flexible hours (90.6%), no call (62.5%) and/or reduced call (65.6%).

• Since 2005, the part-time workforce has grown by 62%. In the 2010 survey, 13% of male physicians practiced part-time and 36% of females practiced part-time, compared to 7% and 29%, respectively, in 2005.

• The majority of medical groups (73.8%) believe mentoring reduces turnover, but just more than half (56.1%) assign a mentor to newly hired physicians.

• The majority of medical groups (83%) will hire more or significantly more primary care physicians, indicating that an already competitive physician market may become more so. Nearly as many said they will be hiring more or significantly more specialists (79%) and advanced practitioners (78%).