A physiatry resident recently asked me this question. It reminds me that on occasion I’ve been told by PM&R doctors that the reason they’re calling me to find a new position is because the practice they’re at isn’t busy enough to support them. Here are some ways to possibly identify beforehand whether a physical medicine and rehabilitation practice you’re considering joining is busy enough to support you:
- Ask why they’re adding a new physiatrist.
- Make sure there’s a salary as opposed to an incentive based compensation. Also, that the salary is the major chunk of your compensation as compared to the incentive portion.
- Ask who the referral sources will be. Are they already servicing these referral sources? How do they expect extra work from them for you?
- Find out the reputation of the PM&R practice. Again, if you’re not familiar with the area, then this might be difficult to do.
- Ask about the physiatry turnover at the practice. When was the last time they added a PM&R doctor? If it was recently, then maybe they can’t support another doctor.
- Ask about the practice’s financial situation.
- Ask for the books. This is a simple, yet often times, difficult request to make.
- Survey the waiting room. Is it busy?
- What marketing are they doing or plan to do?
- Ask how long the waiting list is for an appointment?
- Ask the practice what are their growth plans and vision for the future.