Job Trends and Outpatient Primary Care
by Justin B. Foutes, MBA, Vice President, Assurgent Medical Solutions
One of the exciting things about the healthcare environment is how dynamic it can often be. Locating the most suitable position and finding the best fit can be extremely stressful. Job market trends in the healthcare industry always seem to be a popular subject with respect to both sides of the recruitment process.
To have a solid overall understanding of job market trends in the healthcare industry is imperative. One needs to have a holistic understanding of the market. This is almost impossible for most job seekers, as they have only been in a few positions and markets in the country.
One of the job seeker trends we have seen in primary care is an increased demand for Hospitalist-type positions. What started as the demand for hospital-based Internal Medicine positions has now evolved to the demand for Pediatric Hospitalist positions, Neurological Hospitalist positions, and other Hospitalist sub-specialty positions. This trend seems to stem from work/life balance issues.
The Hospitalist may only work 14 shifts per month, enjoy more time off, not be on call, not have to struggle to build a strong patient base, and still earn a great living. Some hospitals and organizations even offer vacation on top of the lighter schedule. Hospitals can offer a more attractive environment for many of the "procedure-oriented" specialties and sub-specialties, and in theory everyone is happy.
What does this mean for the job seeker? Simple principles of economics suggest that when demand outpaces supply, prices go up. In the future we may see an increased amount of leverage in negotiation for job seekers. The physician that is, or is represented by, a savvy negotiator will secure an attractive position in outpatient primary care.
Physicians interested in entering outpatient primary care positions may not only find the lifestyle advantages they are looking for, but increased security and financial stability as well. This trend, however, is a metamorphosis that is just beginning to take place, the effects of which will probably be realized over the next few years.
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