Lifestyle Is Now Critical For Doctors
If we are to successfully attract and retain the millennial generation of physicians (born between 1980 and 2000), health systems will need to act swiftly to diversify the affiliation models we offer.
Unlike their boomer and senior colleagues who pursued a career in their own independent medical practice, the majority of millennial physicians say they’re looking for an employment arrangement that includes a steady income, balanced lifestyle and attractive benefits. More than 40% of physicians are opting for an employment option.
This is also being driven by other trends, including the growth of accountable care organizations and the purchase of physician practices by larger medical groups, hospitals and hospital systems.
Before we recognized this important generational difference within MemorialCare, we were investing in the training and residency of talented young physicians, and then losing them because we couldn’t offer them an employment option. That’s when we acknowledged that “one size fits all” doesn’t work for physician/hospital alignment.
In 2010, to address this, the health system launched our physician organization, the MemorialCare Medical Foundation — offering additional physician affiliation choices including an employment-type affiliation and an IPA option. Many other health systems throughout California have launched or are implementing similar models.
Thirty-year-old Tara Scott, M.D., joined MemorialCare Medical Group in July 2012 after obtaining her medical degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine and completing her residency at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
Dr. Scott grew up in Charleston, WV but became attracted to the lifestyle Southern California afforded her.
But like many of her peers, Dr. Scott wants an employer who respects her autonomy, allows some work-life flexibility and understands that maintaining a life outside of work is important.
Dr. Scott has become convinced that expectations about work-life balance among physicians in her generation are nearly completely opposite to those of previous generations.
“Previous generations have viewed this issue as ‘all or none‘ — meaning that you either have a work life or a home life and there is no in between,” according to Dr. Scott. “My generation values diversity and balance. I think we understand that we need to find a healthy balance between work and the rest of our lives in order to remain happy and fulfilled, which in turn allows us to better connect with our patients and do a better job. A career in medicine is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding, so I think it is of paramount importance to strike some sort of a balance between work and play.”
While it’s clear that health systems in California are restructuring affiliation models in response to the generational shift, we may not be moving fast enough.
According to the California Healthcare Foundation, nearly 30% of California’s physicians are over 60 years old – a higher percentage than in any other state.
In seven years time the average baby boomer will reach full retirement age, raising serious concerns about physician supply as more and more physicians retire. While many health systems already have admirably strong academic collaborations with medical schools, it’s equally essential that we offer the young physicians emerging from their residencies the kinds of career opportunities they’re seeking.
Tammie McMann Brailsford is chief operating officer of the MemorialCare Health System. She is a member of the Payers & Providers editorial board.
