Physician recruitment is not a new problem. But generational changes and rising expectations for physician performance make competition for physician talent feel increasingly intense today. One indication of the current market’s frenzy: 46% of final-year residents surveyed in 2014 had been contacted more than 100 times about potential practice opportunities, up from 6% in 2008. And the challenge is even greater for hospitals and medical groups in rural areas.

Though recruitment challenges are deep-rooted, organizations can take steps to ensure their physician recruiting process is as effective as possible.