Securing a job offer is undoubtedly an exciting milestone for any physician, but the decision to accept or decline the offer is not always an easy one. While many physicians may eagerly embrace the opportunity, others may find themselves facing the tough choice of turning down the employment offer. Understanding the reasons behind this decision can offer valuable insights to healthcare organizations seeking to attract and retain top medical talent. In this article, we explore some of the top reasons why physicians may decide to decline employment offers.
- Salary:
The most common reason physicians turn down employment offers is uncompetitive compensation / low salary. Health systems lose physicians all the time by offering them too low of a salary. Physicians invest significant time, effort, and resources into their medical education and training, and they rightfully expect to be compensated fairly for their expertise and skills. An offer that does not align with the current market rates or fails to offer comprehensive benefits may be a deal-breaker for many candidates.
Health systems that make their 1st offer their best offer (if their first offer is fair with market conditions), win the best talent. Health systems that know the market salaries for their area and offer fair or above fair salaries the first time, have the best chance to get a physician to accept their job.
- Geographic Location:
The location of the job offer can be a decisive factor for many physicians. Some candidates may decline offers that require relocation to areas that do not suit their lifestyle preferences or lack the necessary amenities for their families. On the other hand, physicians may be drawn to opportunities in locations that offer a strong sense of community, recreational activities, and a good quality of life.
A lot of offers to physicians are declined because they have another offer slightly closer to home or slightly closer to where they want to be.
- Work-Life Balance: Often due too small team sizes or high amount of ‘on-call’
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for the well-being and long-term success of physicians. A job offer that comes with an overwhelming workload or an unfavorable on-call schedule may not be appealing, especially for those seeking a more balanced lifestyle. Physicians may turn down an offer if it does not align with their desired work-life equilibrium.
If a team is too small, meaning only 1-3 other physicians, that can often mean more/added work for the new physician or too much ‘on-call’ for the new physician. This leads to more declined offers.
- Non-Compete terms and other Employment Agreement terms
If a non-compete radius or terms inhibits the physician from easily getting a new job later, often physicians will decline offers. If the employment agreement has terms such as paying back a portion of a sign on bonus, relocation bonus, or part of their salary, this too will increase the chances of a declined offer. If a base salary goes away after 1-3 years, this another reason for many turned down offers.
- Cultural Fit:
Organizational culture plays a significant role in job satisfaction and overall happiness at work. Physicians are more likely to decline offers from healthcare institutions that do not align with their values, mission, and work ethics. A supportive and collaborative work environment is often as important to physicians as the job responsibilities themselves.
During the interview, physicians are asking themselves…” does this group really care about me or only what I can produce for them? Do they really care about patients or just the revenue?”
- Malpractice Insurance and Legal Protections:
Malpractice insurance and legal protections are critical aspects of a physician’s employment. An offer that does not provide sufficient malpractice coverage or fails to address legal protections adequately can raise concerns for physicians, leading them to reject the offer.
- Limited Autonomy and Decision-Making Authority:
Physicians value autonomy and the ability to make informed decisions regarding patient care. An offer that restricts their decision-making authority or requires them to adhere to protocols that they believe are not in the best interest of their patients may be unappealing. If the big decisions are only made by C Suite individuals and not physicians, this is a turn off to physicians.
- Communication and Transparency:
Clear and open communication between the employer and the physician candidate is vital during the hiring process. A lack of transparency or responsiveness from the employer can lead to mistrust and uncertainty, prompting physicians to look for opportunities elsewhere.
Conclusion:
The decision to turn down an employment offer is not taken lightly by physicians. Each physician’s priorities and considerations are unique, ranging from financial and professional aspects to work-life balance and cultural fit. Healthcare organizations can improve their recruitment efforts by understanding these factors and tailoring their offers to align with the expectations and needs of top medical talent. By addressing these key concerns, organizations can increase their appeal to physicians and build lasting relationships that benefit both parties in the long run.