2011 survey of physician practice patterns & satisfaction

2011 SURVEY OF PHYSICIAN PRACTICE PATTERNS & SATISFACTION

KEY FINDINGS

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WHO RESPONDED?

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Direct Tribal 48%Civil Service 33%Commissioned Corps 13%Primary Residence in a rural community 64%Rotated in an Indian Health Program 40%Have/had a scholarship obligation 25%Was/is a loan repayment recipient 35%

PRIMARY MESSAGE OF SURVEY:

IHS OFFERS A FAVORABLE PRACTICE “BRAND”

Reasonable Hours Generally less paperwork Relatively fewer patients

More time per patient Minimal call/inpatient duties

Supportive hospital relationships Favorable malpractice climate

Income “in the ballpark” (for primary care)

A BLUEPRINT FOR APPEALING TODAY’S PHYSICIANS

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A RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION

72% of physicians indicated their practices are somewhat to very satisfying

Compared to 34% of non-Indian Health program physicians.

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• 78% of physicians find working with Indian health programs to be as satisfying or more satisfying than working in other settings

A POSITIVE COMPARISON

• 71% of physicians said that in the next one to three years they will continue practicing with Indian health programs – compared to 26% of non-Indian health program physician surveyed separately by Merritt Hawkins

A HIGH LEVEL OF COMMITMENT

WHAT IS UNSATISFYING TO INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAM PHYSICIANS?

Paper work/red tape …………………….………….……59%Politics…………………………………………….…….…..…..58%IHS policies and priorities……………….……….……..39%Human resources………………………….…..……………39%Administrative support……………...…………………..37%Information technology………………………………….35%Professional isolation……………………………………..29%Administrative duties………………………….………….24%Short-term/long-term training opportunities….24%

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STAFFING: AN ONGOING CHALLENGE

64% currently recruiting physicians

56% currently recruiting non-physician clinicians

51% see an urgent need for primary care physicians

36% see an urgent need for specialists

26% see an urgent need for non-physician clinicians

88% find physician recruiting to be moderately to very difficult

66% find non-physician clinician recruiting to be moderately to very difficult

64% said health reform will moderately to significantly increase need for physicians

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STAFFING: AN ONGOING CHALLENGE

PRIORITIES/RECOMMENDATIONS

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Leverage/maximize a positive

IHS practice brand to overcome misperceptionsRestructure/refine/streamline human resource policiesEmbrace flexible schedulingEncourage physician involvement in staff planning

2011 SURVEY OF PHYSICIAN PRACTICE PATTERNS & SATISFACTION

KEY FINDINGS

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