Ask the expert: What are adequate rewards to entice medical staff members into leadership roles?

In the past, the stature of holding a leadership role in the hospital was reward enough for most physicians. For some, the greatest reward continues to be the sense of accomplishment that comes from influencing important issues, but others are looking for more. Many physicians today are looking for monetary compensation for serving as medical staff leaders. Such rewards can take the form of direct stipends, reduced due payments, support for textbooks or continuing medical education resources, etc.

Funding of leadership education is another popular way to reward leaders while benefiting the organization. Paid attendance at leadership development seminars located in nice resorts can be offered to physicians and their spouses.

Another way to reward leaders is to give them the authority to bestow benefits on others. For example, give medical staff officers the discretion to send colleagues for leadership development training or assign preferential parking spaces. Doing so reinforces the importance of their position and makes it more gratifying and rewarding to assume the mantle of leadership.

This week’s question and answer are excerpted from How to Recruit and Develop Physician Leaders: A Strategy for Medical Staff Leadership Development by Richard A. Sheff, MD; Todd Sagin, MD, JD; and Albert Fritz, MHA.