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Retention tip: Develop a mentoring program

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, October 14, 2008

Hospitalists programs should implement mentoring programs with the overall goal of retention. Mentoring programs can help new hires adjust to their workplace and, in some cases, new locations. Remember to do the following when assigning a new hospitalist to an existing staff physician:

• Pair the new hire with a mentor physician by similarities or common interests. For example, you might want to match a new physician who is single with an unmarried mentor better able to relate to the new hire’s concerns.
• Start early. The mentor should make contact during the relocation process so that the new physician will feel welcomed and have his or her questions about local schools or the community answered early on.
• Involve the new hire’s family. Engage both families in activities.
• The mentoring physician should guide the new physician on both a formal and informal tour of the hospital.
• The mentor should regularly meet with the new physician, weekly or monthly to check in.

On occasion, when well matched, this mentoring program produces lifelong friendships. The relationship will take its natural course over time and is designed to bridge the friendship gap while the new physician and family get acclimated to their new surroundings.

The above excerpt is adapted from Practical Guide to Hospitalist Recruitment and Retention by Kirk Mathews, foreword by John Nelson, MD, FACP, published by HCPro, Inc.

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