Many physicians who retired or became inactive through other circumstances prior to the current economic downturn are taking steps to re-enter the medical profession, according to this month’s Jackson & Coker Industry Report.
"The current economic downturn has had a serious impact on the medical profession," said Sandra Garrett, president of Alpharetta, Ga.-based Jackson & Coker. "As a result, we have seen considerable interest among physicians who had basically curtailed their medical practice, but now want to revamp their efforts to maintain a livelihood that meets their financial expectations. Regularly accepting locum tenens opportunities is one way of achieving such financial goals."
The report, "Physicians Re-Entering the Workforce," explains the steps that doctors are advised to take to resume medical practice and discusses the impact of physician re-entry on the healthcare system.
Key points of the report:
- Some doctors enter a formal physician refresher/reentry course to improve their medical skills.
- Working part-time or accepting locum tenens assignments helps to prepare returning doctors for full-time, permanent staff positions.
- Many physicians are changing their medical specialties, often opting for practicing in family medicine. Some institutions even offer "mini-residencies" to help doctors acquire new medical knowledge.
- Female physicians tend to leave the profession temporarily due to family concerns, whereas male doctors often take an absence due to business or practice administrative matters.
- Returning physicians need to demonstrate current clinical competency as well as become familiar with the latest technology that impacts their medical specialty.
- Maintaining licensure and board certification while not actively practicing medicine is extremely important. Otherwise, renewing a lapsed license or becoming re-certified can delay the re-entry process.
- The American Medical Association recommends that doctors contemplating leaving practice remain clinically current even on a limited basis – such as maintaining CME requirements – in order to maintain hospital privileges.
The report also discusses the impact of physician re-entry on the healthcare profession – which, even on a limited basis, is helping to address the physician shortage. Using the services of a part-time physician makes economic sense for some hospitals and practices.
Medical schools, licensing boards, medical societies, certification boards and other professional associations are addressing physician re-entry into clinical practice, officials say. An important goal is to standardize and coordinate the various re-entry regulations, processes and educational programs to benefit all segments of the medical community, the report says.
Find the full report here.