By: Allison McCarthy, MBA
It’s ironic that one of the fastest-growing health concerns in the U.S. is being treated by one of the most-dwindling specialties. According to Andrew Stewart, M.D., chief of the endocrinology division at the University of Pittsburgh in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM, 2008), “There appears to be only one-half the endocrinologists required to fill the needed positions in the United States.” The lack of endocrinologists is more than ironic; it’s alarming.
The shortage is launching healthcare recruiters into full gear. According to Dr. Stewart, “We have only about 4,000 M.D. endocrinologists to care for approximately 25 to 100 million patients.” While systems are ramping up their recruiting efforts, endocrinologists are choosing carefully. In May, 2014, the search engine, PracticeLink, posted 181 open endocrinologist positions; The American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists advertised 63 opportunities; and the Endocrine Society listed 71 new endocrinology positions. Given the number of options available to endocrinologists today, if your organization is recruiting (or even thinking about it), it’s time to start courting.
On average, it takes well over a year to bring an endocrinologist onboard. In a survey of more than 1000 residents and fellows finishing training in 2012, 41% interviewed before January of their graduating year and 31% signed contracts by March. In 2013, the numbers were even more staggering: 61% interviewed before January and more than 50% signed contracts by March (Cejka Search, 2013). We can only speculate about the hire rate in 2014, but there’s no doubt endocrinologists will be scooped up fast.
The irony of endocrinology is quickly turning into urgency. For insight on how to better recruit endocrinologists in today’s barren landscape, please download our recent whitepaper, Successful Recruitment of Endocrinologists In a Competitive Environment. Download now >>