In evaluating any opportunity the first question that the physician should ask during the phone interview is 'Why Are You Looking?'

Every opportunity is looking for a reason and you need to know why.

The perfect job is where a physician has left a room full of patients and the hospital or practice is franctic to find a new physician.

Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. These are the usual reasons they are looking.

PRIVATE PRACTICE:
There are five physicians in the practice. Three of the five are turning 60 years old in the next year. Almost all hospital credentialing have a clause that uppon the age of 60 the physician may discontinue their call coverage obligation. And, in my experience when the physician is not required to cover call, they don't. So, the remaining two younger physicians are realizing that call will be reduced from 1/5 to 1/2. They have their monthly meeting and decide they will bring in another physician or two.

But will the community catchment area provide enough cases for two additional physicians? Ususally not. And remember during the groups decision to add more physicians they are not saying 'we will all give up 20% of our referrals to the new docs.' Maybe the new physician can make it work but it will be a struggle.

Now, let's say that these 5 physicians are hospital employed. And let's say the hospital is a Level One facility. The hospital is franctic since they realize they will burn out the two younger physicians so they decide to bring in another physician. The new physician may consider that the burden is on the hospital and happily take the position. But the underlying factor is can the new physician build an elective practice. In some cases this doesn't work. When it does work is when the older physicians have slowed down creating more availble cases.

It is important that you realize and carefully look at the pluses and negatives and let your intuition and gut be your guide.