Physicians as a demographic often find themselves moving for work—or moving closer to home after a stint of training or employment far away.

In a year, expect nearly 14 percent of health care providers will make some type of professional move, according to a 2016 report by SK&A. That means physician recruiters need to develop a strategy that includes helping newly hired physicians acclimate to the new communities they’ll serve.

We’re covering relocation—the ins, outs and moving tips—in PracticeLink Magazine’s upcoming Interview Issue, which will hit physician mailboxes (and phones and tablets) in June.

Included in the feature article is Eleanor Hertzler, recruitment coordinator for physicians at Patient First. Eleanor joined me for a podcast for recruiters and a video for physicians to talk a little more about the relocation process.

Here’s a sneak peek of our video:

And you can listen to our conversation here (go ahead and click...it's only 2 minutes)!

As you’re putting together your relocation strategy, consider these three ideas I gleaned during my conversation with Eleanor.

1. Ask physicians for their recommendations. 

What relators come recommended by physicians you’ve recently hired? What services did they use—and enjoy? Ask physicians to share their experiences, perhaps through a tool like SurveyMonkey so you have easy access to past responses.

2. Put those recommendations into a packet for new hires.

Eleanor and her team provide relocating physicians with a list of helpful resources, like area mechanics, vets and dentists. The list isn’t an endorsement—it’s a place to start for those who are new to the community. 

3. Budget time to add a personal touch. 

The Patient First recruiters take visiting physicians out for supper, or on tours of the community themselves. It's a personal touch that candidates appreciate and helps the recruitment team get to know the physicians and their families better. How can you add a personal touch when candidates come to town?

What advice do you have for recruiters who'd like to develop a tighter relocation strategy? What has worked well for your teams?

(And want to join me for a conversation for our video or podcast? Tell us in the comments below!)