Human Resources: What Motivates Physicians to Succeed? Money Isn't Most Important

Alpharetta, GA (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 13, 2009 -- While doctors place considerable importance on their current and future earnings, compensation alone is not the greatest motivation for career satisfaction, according to an article entitled "Motivating Physicians" appearing in the latest issue of the Jackson & Coker Industry Report. (http://www.jacksoncoker.com/physician-career-resources/newsletters/2009-april.aspx)

According to the article, written by an independent firm specializing in health care research, other important considerations factor into how motivated medical doctors are in practicing medicine in a manner that is personally and professionally rewarding. Key considerations that impact individual motivation include:

the amount of administrative duties
bureaucratic red tape
patient load
amount of individual autonomy
government overregulation
overall organizational morale.

The article points out the four internal factors that drive individuals to succeed and form the basis of individual motivation. It also discusses the "higher order needs" that are essential for career satisfaction among doctors. Citing survey findings by Canadian researchers, the article explains the factors that motivate greater clinical performance among doctors, including:

focus on the practice of medicine
treating a variety of patients
being allowed time to develop good relationships
effective interaction with peer physicians
acquiring advanced knowledge and skills
opportunity for professional development.

Among the article's key conclusions: "Doctors will be motivated to perform better at their jobs given that their jobs focus largely on the practice of medicine and are challenging and rewarding."

Certainly doctors expect to be financially rewarded for their medical training and contribution to quality health care delivery, and thus are motivated by increased earnings. Notwithstanding that fact, "a change in the health care working environment--a change resulting in doctors spending less time doing paperwork and other non-practice business and more time dispensing care to patients--would likely motivate physicians much more effectively than would a change in the numbers on a paycheck."

Sandra Garrett, Jackson & Coker's president, adds, "These findings are in keeping with what our recruiters experience in dealing with hundreds of career-minded physicians on a daily basis. Although doctors seek equitable compensation for the services they render, they are motivated by other things in accepting recurrent temporary or, especially, permanent practice opportunities.

"Knowing what motivates individual physicians to aspire to achieve their professional goals is key to making good placements," Ms. Garrett adds.

The article can be accessed at (http://www.jacksoncoker.com/Newsletter/Articles/Motivating.aspx)

About Jackson & Coker (http://www.jacksoncoker.com/)

Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, Jackson & Coker is a leading provider of physicians and advanced practitioners (especially CRNA's) seeking employment assistance. The firm has over 30 years of service to both commercial and government clients with short-term or long-term temporary staffing requirements. Complementing the Locum Tenens (temporary placement) division is the Retained Search division that selectively handles permanent placement assignments. More information about Jackson & Coker can be obtained at www.jacksoncoker.com.

Jackson & Coker is a member of a family of companies known as Jackson Healthcare (JH), also headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. JH companies include firms involved with Healthcare IT, patient placement during hospital stays, travel nurse and allied health recruitment, as well as turnkey Anesthesia staffing and management. More information on Jackson Healthcare and subsidiary companies can be found at www.jacksonhealthcare.com.