Recruiting the physician AND the family can prove fruitful for healthcare organizations. Here’s a strategy.

<p>If you&rsquo;re aiming to <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/top-6-ways-to-attract-and-retain-millenial-doctors?category=Employer+Tips">attract and retain</a> top-tier physicians for your facility, it&rsquo;s time to think beyond the individual and consider the whole family. In an era of physician shortages, especially in niche specialties, recruiting with the family in mind can prove fruitful for hospitals, outpatient facilities, private practices, and other <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/clients">healthcare organizations</a>.</p>

<h2>Family Life Is Paramount for Physicians</h2>

<p>Statistics from 2024 show family is vital to physicians:</p>

<ul>
	<li>85% of physicians are married (<a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-residents/medical-resident-wellness/why-doctors-marry-doctors-exploring-medical-marriages#:~:text=About%2085%25%20of%20physicians%20are,on%20the%20Medscape%20news%20website.">American Medical Association</a>)</li>
	<li>20% are married to other doctors, and 25% are married to nonphysician healthcare professionals (<a href="https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2022-lifestyle-happiness-6014665#1">Medscape</a>)</li>
	<li>53% of doctors have 1 or 2 children, and 37% have 3 or 4 children (<a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/987962">Medscape</a>)</li>
	<li>80% of family physicians say they maintain their happiness and mental health by spending time with family and friends (<a href="https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2024-lifestyle-family-medicine-6016975#2">Medscape</a>)</li>
	<li>73% of physicians say family is a top priority (<a href="https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2024-lifestyle-family-medicine-6016975#5">Medscape</a>)</li>
</ul>

<p>And even if they aren&rsquo;t married or don&rsquo;t have kids, many physicians have a partner or significant other, aging parents, or pets who are part of their household.</p>

<h2>Physician Productivity and the Family</h2>

<p><a href="https://themedcommons.com/family-support-the-key-to-physician-productivity-focus/">The MedCommons</a>, an online community that provides resources and support for physician families, notes the value of the family as a &ldquo;support system and a building block to improved physician well-being.&rdquo; According to The MedCommons, strains on family life can lead to depleted:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Productivity</li>
	<li>Performance</li>
	<li>Energy</li>
	<li>Focus</li>
	<li>Interest in professional responsibilities</li>
</ul>

<p>Ideally, physicians, families, and healthcare organizations can support each other and flourish together, enhancing well-being and productivity. Focusing on family may even lead to a long-term commitment to the facility.</p>

<h2>How to Recruit the Physician AND the Family</h2>

<p>Healthcare organizations can generate creative ways to appeal to the whole family when seeking to hire a new physician. Each scenario is different, so tailor your strategy for the individual. Here&rsquo;s how to start.</p>

<h3>1. Discover the candidate&rsquo;s wants and needs regarding family.</h3>

<p>During your initial communication with the physician, seek to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns. If they&rsquo;ve expressed that family is important in their decision, find out their goals regarding their spouse&rsquo;s career, children&rsquo;s education, family activities, hobbies, work schedule, and other relevant details.</p>

<h3>2. Include the family in the interview process.</h3>

<p>At an appropriate stage of the interview process, invite the physician&rsquo;s partner and/or children to meet key individuals at the organization. Plan to have activities or refreshments to ensure the family is comfortable. Organize a tour of the facility and surrounding community so the family can envision what it would be like to settle there.</p>

<h3>3. Highlight the family-friendly features of your location.</h3>

<p>Showcase amenities in the area that appeal to families. Include playgrounds, parks, family-friendly restaurants, attractions, zoos, libraries, playhouses, and museums. Highlight events like festivals, fairs, cultural celebrations and farmers&rsquo; markets. Provide information about the schools in the area, including private, public and charter schools, healthcare services, including pediatricians and specialists, and extracurricular activities like sports, music, and dance. Focus on walkability, safety, low crime rates, and other factors that lead to a secure family life.</p>

<h3>4. Be transparent about work demands, patient load, compensation, and growth opportunities.</h3>

<p>Providing a clear job description up front that outlines responsibilities, expectations, on-call requirements, administrative duties, patient demands, leadership opportunities, and other details is critical for physicians with families. Address any questions physicians and family members raise, emphasizing the facility&rsquo;s commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance. Being realistic and transparent can mitigate turnover and enhance physician satisfaction.</p>



<h3>5. Offer a family-friendly schedule.</h3>

<p>Highlight any scheduling details that align well with family life. For example, can you provide flexible scheduling options like part-time work, job sharing, or flexible hours? If not, can you offer predictable or stable shifts? Can you ensure fair distribution of on-call duties and streamlined technology for managing on-call work? Can you provide remote opportunities or telehealth?</p>



<h3>6. Offer family-focused relocation assistance.</h3>

<p>Keep the needs of the whole family in mind when offering relocation assistance. Offer temporary housing, coverage of moving expenses, and transportation arrangements, if possible. Provide an <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/5-ways-to-welcome-locum-tenens-providers-to-your-facility">in-depth orientation</a> to the new community, with information about the schools, healthcare facilities, childcare options, cultural orientation resources, community organizations, language support, recreational activities, and local amenities.</p>

<h3>7. Feature work benefits that support the family.</h3>

<p>Implement family-friendly benefits like parental leave, adoption leave, eldercare support, accommodations for family emergencies, or flexible time off. Offer comprehensive healthcare coverage for the family. Consider whether your organization can help with childcare arrangements, like onsite daycare or provide referrals to reputable childcare providers. Also, consider offering wellness programs, educational assistance programs like tuition assistance, and financial planning services.</p>

<h3>8. Embrace family as part of your organization&rsquo;s broader culture.</h3>

<p>Offer family-focused events like picnics and holiday parties. Acknowledge family milestones and special occasions. Create an inclusive work environment with features like a lactation room or family lounge. Allow employees and families to voice needs and concerns regarding family support and the organizational culture. Host family-friendly volunteer opportunities in the community.</p>

<h3>9. Share testimonials and references from currently employed physicians and their families</h3>

<p>If your facility already has a strong family culture, why not get other physicians to talk about it? Conduct interviews or send surveys asking for feedback, reviews, and testimonials about how well your organization treats families. Then, share those testimonials with prospects.</p>

<p>Whether you&rsquo;re seeking <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/does-my-facility-need-locums?category=Insights">locum tenens</a> or a permanent physicians for your organization, focusing on family can be just what&rsquo;s needed to find the perfect candidate. From discovering each individual family&rsquo;s goals to embracing family as part of your organization&rsquo;s culture, you&rsquo;ll be that much closer to attracting and retaining the physicians you need. Investing in family can pay dividends: you&rsquo;ll have happier and healthier employees, have improved productivity and morale, and attract more families to your organization and your community.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums">Get locum tenens or permanent physicians for your organization</a>.</p>

Recruiting a Physician? Appeal to the Entire Family!