National media coverage of the physician shortage in USA Today on Feb. 26 reinforces the concepts we have been using to enhance recruiting for the past 2 years at SVMC. We have been able to enhance our general surgery supply with several methods, some of which are mentioned in this article.
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Dr. Elizabeth Warner, SVMC's
newest general surgeon.
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We brought solo surgeons together in a group. They worked with the medical staff office to change our recruiting from “Come to town and set up a solo practice; we’ll help you in the first 2 years” to “Come join a hospital based group of general surgeons; we’ll pay you at the national median; we’ll employ you for the long haul to reduce your hassle and improve your security; you’ll have mentorship and support.”
Our recruiting changed dramatically and as of this fall we will have 6 general surgeons — a 50% increase over the 4 we started with. Enhanced recruiting includes: dedicated in house recruiting staff, using local doctors as champions, improved web site with videos of our institution, better data bases, improved direct mail, and improved financial support for doctors with predictable salaries and better loan repayments.
Read my first post on this subject: "Why is it So Difficult to Recruit Doctors to Vermont?"