“Physicians don’t care so much about their pay. They care about their wellness.”

That's the overarching theme of a presentation by Zachary Conrad, D.O., an emergency medicine resident at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who's also the COO of Professionalism and Leadership in the Medical Setting (PaLMS), an organization that helps physicians learn effective leadership styles and behaviors.

At the PracticeLink annual all-staff meeting, Dr. Conrad outlined what physicians want from their employers—especially in a changing health care environment.

The survey says…

Dr. Conrad conducted a survey among 23 attendings and about 20 residents to find out what employment features would make physicians happy. Their answers can be a starting point for health care organizations looking to improve their employer brands. 

The responses were:

From attendings:

• Competent leadership
• Paid vacation and sabbatical opportunities
• Food for all shifts (including night shift)
• No expectations during time off
• Bonus incentives
• Adequate physician staffing
• Less focus on patient satisfaction surveys
• Advanced and flexible scheduling and minimized scheduling changes
• Fewer shifts per month to be considered full time

From residents: 

• Competent and supportive leadership
• High annual salary and student loan repayment
• Paid vacation time
• CME stipend
• Early buy-in/partnership opportunities
• Input into the supplies needed
• Availability of scribes

The top request for both groups? Strong leaders who have physicians' backs.

What this means for physician recruiters

As an employer looking to stand out and attract the best physician talent, take a closer look at the emails you’re sending physicians, the collateral you’re using at job fairs and specialty meetings, and the ads you’re running in journals.

Then, consider:

• Does your messaging speak directly to these physician needs?
• Does your organization have (or can it launch) a physician satisfaction survey that highlights the staff’s quality of life?
• What evidence of positive interactions between physicians and administrators can you share with candidates?
• Can you change any of the imagery in your marketing to better reflect what physicians want?

Share below! Do Dr. Conrad’s survey results align with your recruitment experiences? What tips can you offer to respond to those needs and wants?