Recruiting a radiation oncologist to a regional oncology center, especially in less densely populated areas, is a complex task. With a national shortage of these specialists, small centers face unique challenges in attracting, hiring, and retaining top-tier talent. As competition in healthcare recruitment intensifies, these challenges are amplified. Below are some of the significant hurdles faced by small oncology centers and strategies to overcome these barriers.

The Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment’s (AAPPR) annual Internal Physician and Provider Recruitment Benchmarking Report shows that the huge demand for physicians continues to grow.  The report shows “that active physician searches per year have more than doubled since 2017. Data also shows that 2022 marked the fifth straight year in which the percentage of searches filled decreased, as the demand for physicians remains competitive and labor remains scarce.”  In addition a recent survey by The Physicians Foundations found that six in 10 doctors report feelings of burnout.  And with the economy continuing to worsen and healthcare costs continuing to rise, we expect hospitals will face…

PHG is currently attending the Anesthesiology Annual Meeting in San Francisco.  And just a quick side note on conventions and trade shows – are they now back in favor?  Prior to the pandemic, we attended approximately 24 shows a year. This was a mix of hospital state conventions and physician specialty conferences.  In addition we also attended several shows that were directed at residents and fellows who are looking for jobs.  Currently the number of conventions we are attending is significantly lower, but there is also a reduction in the overall number of shows.

Non-competes were originally created to prevent employees from joining competitors and sharing IP from their current employer. Typically non-competes have been regulated by the states, but in 2023 the FTC proposed a ban on non-competes, and the FTC vote on the ban is tentatively scheduled for April 2024.

Our business of recruiting physicians is extremely unique and challenging, and non-competes are definitely a…

Pinnacle has become a virtual company, but we still like to keep the personal connections, along with having fun, so we host two company trips per year. Our company get togethers give us the ability to build a sense of unity, as well as collaboration and teamwork, friendship, fun, and the kind of connection that only comes with an in person meeting. For our most recent company trip, we chose Fayetteville Arkansas , where we have a small office location. Fayetteville is a college town supported by Walmart that is pretty immaculate. The campus and facilities are second to none, and the food, fun, and quality of life is incredible.

If you’re facing similar challenges, contact Pinnacle today to learn more about how you can keep your recruiting departments lean, or eliminate them if necessary, while still maintaining your most vital function…recruiting new physicians, which equals more or sustained revenue/patient volumes.