Why Physicians Relocate (And What They Seek)
By Jackson & Coker Research Associates
Where we live and the lifestyle it offers matters.
But is it what most matters to physicians seeking to relocate? Or are other factors as influential? And do these factors change as physicians age and grow in experience?
In 1987, Jackson & Coker commissioned a national survey to quantify physicians’ relocation motivators. At that time, the top three factors physicians said were most important in relocating included:
1. Hospital Facilities
2. Potential Income
3. Spouse’s Preference
This year, 25 years later, Jackson & Coker commissioned a follow-up survey to measure how physicians’ deciding factors have changed. In 2012, the top three factors physicians said were most important when relocating were as follows:
1. Overall Lifestyle of the Area
2. Potential Income
3. Immediate Income
Other factors that play a role in their relocation decision include flexible and fewer work hours, less call rotation and desirable partnership. Spouse preference was seventh on the list.
The most interesting discovery: Two groups of physicians emerged in the data.
The first group (Group 1) was more likely to be female, 45 years of age or younger, in medical practice 15 years or less and have a working spouse. This group preferred suburban or urban locations in the Northeast and had only relocated one or two times.
In addition, they were more likely to specialize in dermatology, gynecology, infectious disease, physical medicine and rehabilitation or be a hospitalist.
The second group (Group 2) was more likely to be male, 51 years of age or older, in medical practice 15 years or more and prefer a single-specialty practice. This group either preferred a rural location or had neither location nor regional preferences.
They more likely have relocated three to six times in their career and specialize in neurology, psychiatry or surgery.
When looking at the relocation preferences and drivers between these two groups, significant differences stand out.
The top three factors Group 1 said were most important when relocating were as follows:
1. Overall Lifestyle of the Area
2. Potential Income
3. Flexible/Fewer Work Hours
The top three factors Group 2 said were most important when relocating included:
1. Contact with Other Physicians
2. Recreational Opportunities
3. Climatic Conditions
The overall lifestyle of an area—the top factor for Group 1—was ranked least important by Group 2. Likewise, potential and immediate income—ranked in the top four by Group 1—ranked second and third least important with Group 2.
The takeaway is this: Recruiters need to understand the nuanced preferences between physicians, as they work to place them. And physicians need to help recruiters understand the relocation factors uniquely important to them.
Do these findings align with your experiences? Your expectations?
Feel free to comment or contact Edward McEachern at:
emceachern@jacksoncoker.com or 1.800.272.2707.
The electronic version of the data can be accessed here.