Hospital physician hiring up

Hospitals increased their physician hiring in 2011 and are likely to continue doing so for the remainder of 2012.

A survey by consulting firm SullivanCotter and Associates found that about 75% of healthcare organizations increased physician staffing levels in 2011. The same percentage of healthcare organizations said they planned to hire more physicians and midlevel practitioners this year.

The Center for Studying Health System Change says that hospitals are hiring physicians to build referral bases and boost admissions, and that doctors are motivated to take hospital jobs due to increased practice costs, flat or declining reimbursements, and a desire for better work-life balance.