By Terry Lane
Why is it more difficult to recruit physicians to a small town?
Small towns have been stigmatized as places lacking arts and
culture, diversity, or simply - things to do. Try looking at a
small town opportunity in a new light. Instead of thinking of what
it doesn't have in comparison to its metro/urban sibling, look at
what it does have to offer - those unique attributes that you can
find no where else. Following is a list of 'things to consider'
when considering an opportunity in a small town.
Things to Consider
Cost of Living -
Small towns usually offer a low cost of living, great housing
prices, and/or tax relief, compared to other areas - be sure to
ask about cost of living.
Compensation - Many physicians do not realize that small
town opportunities often provide higher compensation packages than
in metro/urban areas. This is simply because it is more difficult to
recruit physicians to small town opportunities, therefore they pay
more.
Less Managed Care -
Some small towns offer less managed care.
Competition - There may be less competition in a small
town.
Geography - Small towns often provide beautiful geographic
attributes such as streams, parks, forests, and lakes. Also, look at
what is available within the two-hour radius. You may be only a
short drive to mountains, beaches, or large bodies of water.
Climate/Pollution & Air Quality - Small towns tend to
have less pollution and better air quality than metro/urban areas.
Also, look at the climate year-around
- does the small
town in question offer four
seasons; a mild year-around climate with lots of sunny days; or low
humidity?
Crime Rate - One of the primary reasons that physicians
move into small towns is due to the lower crime rate. Statistics
show that small towns are safer for kids, with less drug-related
crime, significantly less violent crime, and less juvenile
delinquency in general due to the small-town community atmosphere
and neighbor recognition - people know one another and recognize
each other's children!
Community Feel/Family Focus
- A major draw to small town life, physicians are looking for
family/community-oriented communities with strong civic groups,
clubs, and activities for their children. Small towns tend to have
"community spirit" that make a family really feel they are
a part of their hometown - an essential element in their
community. Small towns depend on their community members to run,
improve, and build things - there is lots of room for involvement
at the community level.
Schools - Don't underestimate small towns when it comes
to school quality. Some of the best public and private schools in
the nation are found in small towns.
Sports - From little league to college-level sports, small
towns tend to offer many sports-related activities that are played
in the many roomy, grassy parks and playing fields throughout the
town.
Arts and Culture - Small towns are becoming the new
gathering place for writers and artists across the nation. Where
artists used to be drawn to the larger metro/urban areas, many small
towns are now forming various artists colonies and are producing
top-selling authors and nationally-recognized artists. The town you
are considering probably has an artist's guild or similar
organization that can introduce you to the arts in the community.
The Two- and Four-hour Radius - Remember to look at the
two- and four-hour radius around the town you are considering -
just a short drive away may be metro/urban areas; arts and culture
features; natural features such as parks and lakes; major
universities offering lectures and other programs; and major
airports.
Less/No Commuting/Less Traffic & Congestion - Ah, Yes!
The 15-minute drive to work - is that appealing? No more congested
traffic, freeway driving, and paying tolls and expensive parking!
Overall Quality of Life - Overall, small town living can
provide a less stressful lifestyle with more breathing room.
Friendly and caring neighbors, shady streets, holiday parades,
backyard barbeques - it may sound like a 50's sitcom - but it's
small town reality.
Your Town's Claim to Fame - Every town has some claim to
fame, whether it is a small town hero who made big, the first
"something", or an historical event or person - call the
local library, newspaper, or historical society and research the
past of the town.
Obviously, small towns offer attributes that you won't find in
metro/urban areas. Many physicians are surprised to find out that
small towns today offer a variety of arts and cultural activities
and are more diverse than fifty years ago. Small towns offer quaint
and quirky shops, little nooks that crave investigating, interesting
folklore, and secret recipes. Artists and writers are moving back to
small towns, and while violent crime is escalating in our cities -
crime is extremely low in small towns across the nation. The next
time you are presented with an opportunity in a small town, consider
these points carefully - and picture yourself sitting on the porch
of your Victorian, on a tree-lined street, reading the New Yorker
and drinking iced-tea. Picturesque? Yes. Possible? Absolutely! Ah!
The good life! It can be yours.
******************************************
© 2002 All Rights Reserved. Pinnacle Health Group. Pinnacle Health Group
(PHG), one of the nation's largest physician recruitment firms, was established
in 1994. Concentrating on being a high quality physician recruitment firm, the
company has served hundreds of customers in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to
comprehensive physician recruiting services, Pinnacle also provides screening
services including qualification, background and reference checks. Pinnacle
Health Group is a member-in-good-standing of the NAPR (National Association of
Physician Recruiters.)
Heath Ponder is a search consultant for Pinnacle Health Group.
Visit our website at www.phg.com. Contact: Michael P. Broxterman, CEO,
1-888-718-9999, ext. 207, mbroxterman@phg.com; or staff writer/editor Terry
Lane, ext. 302, tlane@phg.com.
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