“There’s a physician shortage across the board and most physicians have several positions from which to pick and chose,” says Ms. Golden. “Often, physicians with orthopedic subspecialties, spine surgeons specifically, want to do one hundred percent of their subspecialty. That is not possible when a physician is hired in a rural community. In smaller communities, there just aren’t enough cases for the physician to do one hundred percent spine. They usually are required to include all aspects of orthopedics into their practice.”
Ms. Golden says the most important aspect of placing a physician is the physical environment, which means unless the physician is looking for a rural setting, the physician will most likely choose to practice in the city. Big-city hospitals can offer signing bonuses, which Ms. Golden says have recently been increasing, as well as bigger income guarantees.
“In today’s market, a physician literally holds the bargaining chip,” says Ms. Golden. “Since, most spine surgeons want 100 percent spine, recruitment can be more difficult for rural communities. More than likely, spine physicians will stay in the big city.”
Small rural hospitals must learn to compete with the financial power and prestige of the large urban centers. They must emphasize other qualities in order to attract orthopedic physicians. Ms. Golden says smaller and rural organizations can be attractive because of the lifestyle they offer. When physicians find there is less competition, it is easier to develop a patient base and generally the expenses in running their practice are lower. Practicing in a small community offers physicians more autonomy, greater independence and they often have a closer relationship with their patients, colleagues and their hospital. Less traffic, shorter commute, more time with family, and outdoor recreational activities often bring physicians to a small community.
Brian Gill, MD, is a spine surgeon originally from Texas, where he earned his medical degree and completed his residency. Currently, Dr. Gill practices with the Nebraska Spine Center in Omaha and says he was drawn to the small-practice and Midwestern environment.
“Nebraska is a good state for me and my family. I like the lifestyle I’ve chosen here and I like what I do,” says Dr. Gill. “Texas is a competitive state and for a spine surgeon you have to be in a community there. You can’t do just spine.”
Dr. Gill was attracted to the Nebraska Spine Center because he could exclusively practice spine and has a team of other spine physicians who he could confer with about unique complications and procedures.
His practice also serves many rural communities in Nebraska and Iowa. Often, Dr. Gill says, patients will travel several hours for treatment. For follow-up appointments, the Nebraska Spine Institute has outreach clinics in locations where the physicians meet with their rural patients.
Beyond the practice environment, Dr. Gill had other reasons for choosing a Midwestern location. He says there is less malpractice in the Midwest than in other regions of the country where insurance reforms have lowered reimbursement rates. This means he receives higher reimbursement in Omaha than he would if he practiced in some bigger cities.
Additionally, in areas with more physicians, competition for patients is higher. For Dr. Gill, such competition is not an issue.
“There’s no other place in the region that does what we do,” says Dr. Gill.
Another aspect of his setting Dr. Gill appreciates is the ability to focus more on treating his patients than conducting research, which is expected at higher-profile practices. A combination of all these factors makes Nebraska the right place for him.
Rural areas are also attractive for J-1 Visa candidates because rural locations are classified as “underserved” and are approved to sponsor visa candidates.
Learn more about Catalina Medical Recruiters.
Learn more about the Nebraska Spine Center.
Read more about spine centers:
– Atlanta’s Emory Eastside Medical Center Expansion Includes Spine Center
– California’s Chapman Medical Center Opens Neuroscience and Spine Center
– Ohio’s Kettering Sports Medicine Center Opens Comprehensive Spine Clinic
