GI Outlook (GO) 2022 Practice Management & Leadership Conference –Getting Back to the Future of Gastroenterology | August 2022-02_Strategies to Improve Staffing and Retention

02_Strategies to Improve Staffing and Retention_Rose

Pdf Summary

Staffing and retention in medical practices are significant challenges, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating provider shortages. Effective strategies can positively impact provider retention. To improve staffing, it is crucial to "know your numbers." This includes understanding practice structure, partnership parameters, compensation, and benefits. Details about the practice structure, ownership, and decision-making processes are important factors.<br /><br />Opportunity details such as patient volume, managed care contracts, call structure, and support staff are key considerations. Partnership parameters should address buy-in and buy-out provisions, call coverage, management duties, income distribution, and dispute resolution. Compensation should consider factors like supply and demand, rural vs. urban areas, productivity, and benefits.<br /><br />Benefits considerations should include malpractice insurance, health, dental, and vision insurance, paid leave, CME allowance, retirement benefits, and more. Candidates should be aware that contracts are designed to protect the practice and should seek legal and accounting advice. Negotiating and obtaining everything in writing is recommended.<br /><br />Retention is crucial because of growing provider shortages, competition from other industries, and its impact on patient care. Strategies to improve retention include effective recruitment, addressing burnout, providing leadership opportunities and professional development, offering fair compensation aligned with goals, encouraging open communication and feedback, supporting work/life balance, fostering a strong community culture, and creating a positive workplace environment.<br /><br />Candidates should consider whether an opportunity aligns with their professional growth and work/life balance goals, if the incentives are motivating yet attainable, and if they enjoy working with colleagues. Overall, focusing on staffing and retention is essential for medical practices, considering the difficulties in physician recruitment and the impact on patient care.

Keywords

staffing

retention

medical practices

COVID-19 pandemic

provider shortages

effective strategies

practice structure

partnership parameters

compensation

benefits