1. Communicate directly with references. The physician only provides references of people who will give a good report and written references may not tell the whole story. The article suggests calling the reference or coordinating a face-to-face meeting for a more accurate report. The attending physicians and senior residents who previously worked with the physician are good people to speak with because they have seen the physician in action.
2. Focus on quality of training. There are different opinions about the various residency and training programs, so focus on the quality of the physician’s training and keep a checklist of his or her experience. However, don’t make this a high priority for selection, say the authors of this report.
3. Don’t take appearance into account. Many physician groups may be looking for a clean-cut, conservative physician for their group, but there are several qualified candidates who you might pass up if you judge them on looks. Patients are attracted to physicians from different ethnic, gender and racial backgrounds, which means having a variety of physician partners at the practice is important, according to the report.
4. Make sure the physician is compatible with the existing environment. It’s difficult to determine whether a physician would be a good fit for the practice through a short interview, so physician partners should consider asking questions that will reveal the physician’s attitude and values during the interview. Also, the article recommends considering meeting with the candidate outside of the office setting, which can put them more at ease talking about themselves.
5. Consider the physician’s family. Meet with the physician’s family to identify the spouse’s interests and potential for being happy in the community, says the report. This can also provide insight into the physician’s relationship and relative enthusiasm for the move.
Read the AAOS Now article on choosing physician partners.
Read other coverage on selecting physician partners:
– 4 Steps for Successful Orthopedic Surgeon Recruitment
– 5 Things to Know About Physician Relationships in the ASC
– Rural Spine Practices Meet Recruitment Challenges by Emphasizing Decreased Competition, Small-Town Lifestyle
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