Inside physician engagement: A conversation with Bill Heller of CHG Healthcare

Physician satisfaction is often treated as a success metric. But new data suggests it may be masking deeper vulnerabilities inside medical practices and health systems.

Medical Economics sat down with Bill Heller, chief operating officer at CHG Healthcare, to walk through the findings of CHG’s 2025 Physician Sentiment Survey and what they reveal about engagement, trust and retention in today’s physician workforce.

The survey found that while roughly three-quarters of physicians say they are satisfied with their jobs, only 18% meet the criteria for being highly engaged — a gap with real implications for turnover, morale and long-term stability. Across the clips, Heller unpacks what’s driving that disconnect, from persistent administrative burdens and staffing shortages to breakdowns in communication between physicians and executive leadership.

Physician engagement hinges less on compensation alone and more on whether physicians feel heard, respected and supported in their day-to-day work.

Highly engaged physicians report stronger trust in leadership, clearer communication and a greater sense that their input shapes decisions — especially around policies, staffing and technology, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Heller also addresses rising economic anxiety, moonlighting and interest in work outside medicine, framing engagement as a critical buffer during periods of uncertainty. Practices that invest in transparency, feedback loops and visible leadership, he argues, are far better positioned to retain physicians and protect organizational culture.

Taken together, the conversation offers a practical roadmap for leaders: improving engagement doesn’t require sweeping reforms or major spending. Small, intentional changes — listening earlier, explaining decisions clearly and closing the feedback loop — can meaningfully improve trust, retention and patient care.

Listen to the full conversation with Bill Heller on “Off the Chart: A Business of Medicine Podcast.”