Physician Reentry: Results of a Post-Program Survey

In the United States, clinically inactive physicians are asked to demonstrate refreshed skills and knowledge for relicensure or recredentialing. Limited data exists about these programs' outcomes and participants' perspectives. Our survey results from physicians who completed a reentry preceptorship program in the United States will help better guide how programs can be tailored to fit reentry physicians' goals. Physicians who completed a reentry program between November 2006 and April 2013 were asked to complete an anonymous survey, with 50 of 64 physicians responding (78% response rate). Most were men, 41–59 years of age, board certified, self-referred, unemployed, with an active medical license, and reporting a median eight years of clinical inactivity. Physicians' top three goals for participating in the program were clinical employment, regaining their medical license, and refreshing their skills. A majority (n=37, 74%) achieved their primary goal within a year of program completion. Most reported that the course prepared them for their current work and resolved challenges of reentry, including improvement in their confidence, medical knowledge and clinical skills. This is the first paper looking at returning physicians' perspectives about their refresher/reentry program experience and outcomes. This survey helps reentry programs better understand their participants' views to provide valuable training, mentoring and placement counseling.