Fierce Practice Management reported today, that nearly 18,000 physician service providers responded to the sixth annual Physician Retention Survey, and results of the first quarter of the year suggest that by year-end physician turnover is going to reach a high.

A significant increase in turnover was last found in the results of the 2008 survey. The article noted that the survey suggests this year’s high turnover rate to be, “a possible sign that unhappy doctors who’d decided to stay put in a shaky economy now are feeling safe to make a change.”

“Although shortages still persist in today’s physician workforce, we have seen exponential growth in the size of medical groups, many of which are taking the lead in developing new care models that will increase patient access and keep physician satisfaction and retention high,” said Dr. Donald W. Fisher, AMGA president and chief executive officer. “Medical groups are actively addressing the needs of physicians throughout their careers, providing mentoring and leadership opportunities, and flexible work options.”

But if patient care providers are opting out because they feel their jobs will not be the same, say for example, they will have to see more patients while earning less pay, then who could blame them for walking?

“Medical groups can prepare for increased turnover by identifying key demographics in which turnover rates are the highest, and find ways to address the cause of turnover at its source,” Lori Schutte, president of Cejka Search, said in a statement. “In the past five years, we have seen turnover rates consistently trending higher for young, full-time female physicians and pre-retirement male physicians. Offering flexible work options can be effective in retaining a strong physician workforce and investing in the retention of physicians at all stages of their careers will pay long-term dividends for medical groups.”

The Physician Retention Survey is a national survey designed to collect relevant information on the trends affecting the recruitment and retention of physicians.  It is co-sponsored by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) and Cejka Search.