How engaged are you at work? It’s a metric many employers track among physicians; however, “engagement” can be tough to define. Typically, it’s a catchall word encompassing feelings of satisfaction and loyalty toward one’s employer, but it also refers to how connected and stimulated one feels by their work.
In a 2021 study from Jackson Physician Search, we asked physicians to rate their engagement at work on a scale of 0 to 10. According to the results, 69% of physicians rated themselves as actively disengaged (0-6), 21% rated themselves as passively engaged (7 or 8), and only 10% said they were actively engaged (9 or 10). Those numbers improved slightly in a 2022 joint study with MGMA in which physicians, on average, rated themselves a 7.2 in terms of engagement. However, in the same survey, nearly half said they had considered a job with a different healthcare employer, and almost as many considered early retirement. Additionally, a third said they had considered leaving healthcare altogether. These indications are some of many concerning metrics causing healthcare leaders nationwide to ask, “What can we do to improve physician engagement?”
How are Employers Addressing Physician Engagement?
Burnout, satisfaction, engagement, and retention are frequently discussed together due to the tendency for one to impact the other. Studies show decreased engagement correlates with higher burnout levels, negatively affecting physician retention. Amid a worsening physician shortage, most employers recognize the importance of retaining physicians and are prioritizing burnout mitigation programs and implementing strategies to improve job satisfaction and increase engagement. You may see examples of this at your organization in wellness programs, mental health coaching, flex time, physician forums, enhanced communication measures, or even additional compensation and paid leave. Many employers are trying to improve work circumstances and create an environment that fosters work-life balance for physicians.
5 Steps Physicians Can Take to Improve Their Own Engagement
The above may ring true for you, or it may not. Unfortunately, not every employer takes additional steps to improve the physician experience. What can these physicians do to increase their own engagement at work, improve job satisfaction, and pull themselves out of a career slump? The obvious answer may be to start a new physician job search, but before officially closing the chapter, consider some of the following strategies.
Raise your Hand
Make connections and get involved to help you feel more engaged. Of course, if you are already feeling overworked and underappreciated, the last thing you may want to do is sign up for a committee or volunteer to be a mentor. Yet, this may be the very thing you need to connect with your peers and remind yourself why you chose the profession.
Speak Up
Another way to feel more involved is to improve communication with your administration or practice manager. In the joint JPS-MGMA study, physicians reported two-way communication with management as the top factor contributing to their work satisfaction — even above compensation. Ideally, you already have regular one-on-one meetings with your practice administrator, but if not, it’s time to request them. Use these meetings to address issues and propose solutions to improve circumstances. Feeling heard is critical to increasing engagement at work.
Recognize Others
A job well done deserves recognition, and yet, in the 2021 Jackson Physician Search survey, only 23% of physicians reported that their employers have formal recognition programs. Do your part by emphasizing the excellent work of your colleagues and being intentional with compliments. Being generous with recognition creates a culture of encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Initiate your Own Development
If you have leadership goals, don’t hesitate to make this known to your direct supervisor and other leaders in the organization. Seek out training programs and ask for audit discussions where decisions will be made. Identify someone whose career you admire and ask him or her to be your mentor. Create a plan to make the most of your physician mentorship and advocate for your own development.
Set Small Goals for Yourself
Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now? Whether or not you see yourself with the same employer, there are still steps you can take today to help you achieve your goals. Determine what those steps may be and push yourself to move forward. Find a peer to keep you accountable and for whom you can also be a source of encouragement.
Ask for Autonomy
One of the primary causes of physician burnout is a lack of autonomy. That is, physicians who feel they could make a difference with patients but cannot due to constraints beyond a doctor’s control are most likely to suffer from burnout. Talk to your administrator about reclaiming autonomy when feeling disengaged at work. While there are no easy answers to this complex issue, starting the conversation is a critical first step.
Of course, in some instances, these strategies won’t be enough to improve physician engagement, and it is potentially time to search for a new physician job. If this is the case for you, we would love to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Jackson Physician Search team today to assist you with your search, or start searching for physician jobs online now.
About Helen Falkner
Helen Falkner is president of Jackson Physician Search, the nation’s largest privately held permanent physician recruitment firm and a member of the Jackson Healthcare® family of companies. With more than a decade of experience in retained physician search, she moved into senior leadership roles, bringing proven expertise in recruitment strategy, team development, and the evolving dynamics of today’s healthcare workforce.
The daughter of a physician and a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, Helen has long understood the profound impact that physicians have on the well-being of both patients and communities. That early perspective continues to shape her leadership approach and her commitment to helping healthcare organizations connect with mission-aligned clinicians who will fit, succeed, and stay.
Helen joined Jackson Physician Search in 2012, quickly distinguishing herself as an award-winning recruiter recognized for excellence and alignment with the company’s core values of Others First, Wisdom and Growth. She later became a partner in the business and regional vice president of the firm’s Western division. There, she led one of the largest recruiting teams and served as a strategic partner to healthcare organizations seeking not just to fill positions but build sustainable, high-performing clinical teams.
A recognized thought leader and frequent speaker at regional and national healthcare conferences, Helen addresses the changing expectations of today’s medical workforce, emerging trends in strategic candidate sourcing, and the critical connection between effective recruitment and long-term retention.
Helen has been named “recruiter of the year” twice, earned multiple “recruiter of the quarter awards, and received a 2023 “career achievement” distinction for her sustained contributions to the firm and its clients. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from the University of Iowa. She and her family reside in Atlanta.
