Ask the expert: How does our organization make leadership positions more attractive?
It is difficult for physician leaders to balance the job of being a physician with that of being a physician leader. Many potential leaders don't have the necessary management skills and medical staff duties can be time consuming. Also, practices are busier than ever or may be struggling as physicians try to deal with the economics of practicing medicine. As physicians find their workload increasing and their reimbursement waning, hospitals must make it worthwhile for them to participate in leadership activities. One way to do that is to give physician leaders rewards for the work they do.
Here are some tips for making the leadership position more attractive:
Provide rewards for physician leaders: This could come in many forms, including waiving the medical staff fee for leaders, supplying them with subscriptions to management and medical periodicals, and providing them with the leadership and management training they need to perform their jobs well.
Communicate the importance of leadership positions: Current physician leaders, the governing board, and hospital administrators must communicate the importance of this position not just by word of month, but with actions. Consider hosting ceremonies to recognize outgoing medical staff leaders, creating a physician leader newsletter, or making physician leaders represent the hospital at community events.
Learn more leadership skills with The Medical Executive Committee Handbook, Third Edition, by Mary J. Hoppa, MD. For more information, click here.