A brief survey to identify priorities for improving clinician recruitment and retention: results from Hawai'i Island physicians.

BACKGROUND: In light of the documented physician shortage on Hawai'i Island, the Hawai'i Clinician Recruitment and Retention survey was designed and implemented to assess perceptions of quality of life and the work environment among clinicians on Hawai'i Island and to identify aspects of the environment on Hawai'i Island that predict responses to questions regarding recruitment and retention.
METHODS: The respondents were 127 Hawai'i Island clinicians, specifically 96 physicians, 15 nurses, five pharmacists, four physician assistants, two social workers, and five "other" healthcare workers. The internal reliability of the survey was high (alpha=.91) and its convergent validity was supported by the significant correlation of item total scores with anchor items that measured overall ratings of the environment and likelihood of recruitment and retention. Given the small number of non-physician clinicians responding, descriptive analyses included only physicians. Physicians who indicated they plan to retire within 5 years were excluded from the correlation analyses to focus on patterns within the target group for retention.
RESULTS: Overall, results indicate that, while the majority of physicians who relocated to Hawai'i Island did so primarily for the quality of life, the best predictors of retention are financial sustainability, professional opportunities, community support, and access to good K-12 schools. Survey results also indicate that Hawai'i Island will lose 32% of its current physicians within the next five years due to retirement or other causes. DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that increased urgency to find solutions is warranted.