The survey of 525 respondents (284 physicians and 241 administrators) found that relationships anchored loyalty. Physicians valued relationships with peers (68 percent), support staff (54 percent), and leaders (48 percent). Factors that were important to them were team collaboration (53 percent), a voice in leadership (53 percent), work-life balance (48 percent), and clear communication (48 percent).
Pre-boarding was also significant in longer employee retention. The results found that “thin pre-boarding, bureaucracy dressed as process, mentorship in name only, and skewed expectations” were seen negatively, but personal touchpoints, introductions, and orientation led to higher satisfaction, stronger cultural alignment, and greater preparedness.
“Pay is table stakes,” the report concluded. Two-thirds of the physicians said a higher base salary would influence staying, but leadership and culture were the leading reasons for leaving.
“Transactional exchanges don’t create a long-term relationship—loyalty instead begins with pre-boarding and continues throughout employment,” Stajduhar said.
To download the report, visit “From contract to connection: How authentic relationships foster early-career physician loyalty and retention.”
