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Survey new hospitalists

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, February 9, 2010

One method of ensuring that a new hospitalist is receiving the assistance and feedback he or she needs is to conduct a brief survey 6–10 weeks after the physician’s start date. Doing so will ensure that the program is living up to the expectations set forth during the interview.

More importantly, the practice of surveying new hospitalists can help thwart  turnover because it gives new staff a formal outlet for addressing potential problems before they explode and cause them to resign. It’s perfectly appropriate to ask outright, “Is there anything you are experiencing that would cause you to think about leaving? Finally, soliciting comments—both positive and negative—from hospitalists new to the program shows that program managers are interested in their progress and professional growth.

Consider surveying new hospitalists with a form, presented by the hospitalist director, medical director, or another appropriate medical staff member at a one-on-one meeting. You may wish to include the following questions about their experience and offer an opportunity for feedback:

• How does this working environment and schedule compare with what we established during your interview?
• What is working well?
• How are you handling the transition to being a [name of hospitalist program] hospitalist?
• Which individuals have been the most helpful to you?
• Do you have any ideas on how we can improve our  systems and operations?
• Is there anything you are experiencing that would cause you to think about leaving?
• Do you have recommendations or comments for new physicians?

The above excerpt is adapted from Tools and Strategies for an Effective Hospitalist Progam, published by HCPro, Inc.

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