title: Improving medical practice outcomes by retaining clinicians.
abstract: Turnover of medical care providers has become so commonplace that callous disregard or weary resignation are prevailing sentiments among remaining staff members when a colleague leaves. This article analyzes reasons for turnover of caregivers and the consequences. Turnover is particularly detrimental in medical practice because it undermines learning, as well as acquisition of judgment and adaptability. Medical practice managers may be unaware of the magnitude of the hidden costs-financial, strategic, and quality-associated with turnover. Strategies are proposed to assist medical care organizations in retaining clinicians and thereby improving healthcare effectiveness and efficiency.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131, USA. dwaldman@salud.unm.edu
authors.forename: J Deane
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Waldman
authors.forename: Howard L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jacqueline N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hood
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000379:methods; D020399:Practice Management; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States