Inside a supergroup winning over the next generation of physicians
Charleston, S.C.-based Articularis Healthcare Group has crafted a model that preserves the independence of community rheumatologists, a contrast to large hospital systems, where financial priorities can dictate care.
Founding Partner Colin Edgerton, MD, joined Becker’s to discuss how the group is winning over young physicians seeking stability without sacrificing autonomy.
Editor’s note: This interview was edited lightly for clarity and length.
Question: How do you think your model appeals to younger physicians?
Dr. Colin Edgerton: You’re hitting on something important. Young physicians want a strong and stable business entity behind them. There’s not as much appetite for risk. The old model of joining a solo physician, with no guarantees and maybe buying in after a few years if it works out, is unpopular.
Our size and resources reflect better on private practice rheumatology. When recruiting, we’ll fly a candidate to one of our locations, put them up in a hotel, have them meet clinicians and shadow them, and also sit down with the business team to talk about what a potential contract would look like. They feel like they’re meeting with a top-notch organization, and hopefully at the same time they see the value we bring in patient care and physician leadership.
I’ve heard young physicians say it makes a big difference — while we flew them in, put them in a hotel and spent time with them; another offer just got on the phone and said, “When can you be in town? Stop by.”
Q: Any specific success stories with young physician recruitment?
CE: If we can, we have them visit one of our larger sites to meet business staff and spend time with clinicians. They shadow and then have a small dinner with clinicians, sometimes with their spouse there too. In those settings, they’ll open up and ask, “Does this really work? Are you really as happy as you say? If something comes up at home, can you cancel your afternoon and reschedule patients for tomorrow morning?” We can tell them, “Absolutely, that’s how we operate.”
It’s most satisfying when someone comes from an institution where that’s not happening. Sometimes it’s their first job, they thought working for a hospital would be great, they got a nice contract, and a year and a half later the screws start turning. They’re told vacation time counts against compensation, educational stipends disappear and other changes happen. They realize they’re trapped.
I feel bad for some of the generational misunderstandings — older clinicians saying, “Well, when giants roamed the hallways…” or “I used to tunnel through the snow to get to work.” The world has gotten more sophisticated. Young physicians want stability, but they can get bamboozled by the illusion of it. HR departments know how to lure them into a setting that isn’t ideal. We focus on standing toe to toe with hospitals in recruiting but going above and beyond in offering a work and life experience that’s second to none.