Inside physician engagement: Why disengagement fuels exits and side hustles

Bill Heller, chief operating officer at CHG Healthcare, breaks down the sharp contrast between highly engaged physicians and everyone else when it comes to job mobility, as highlighted in the 2025 Physician Sentiment Survey.

While nearly one-third of physicians say they’re considering work outside of medicine or moonlighting, only 10% of highly engaged physicians say they plan to change jobs, compared with 25% of their less-engaged peers. Heller points to broader economic uncertainty, consolidation and policy volatility as part of the picture — but says engagement is what ultimately determines whether physicians stay put or start looking elsewhere.

Compensation plays a role, but it’s not the whole story. Highly engaged physicians are more likely to feel invested in their organization, supported by leadership and able to focus on patient care. Flexibility, manageable workloads and a sense of being heard all contribute to that stickiness.

For health system leaders, the takeaway is blunt: engagement isn’t a “soft” metric. It’s one of the most powerful tools available to reduce turnover, stabilize the workforce and avoid the costly churn that comes with losing physicians already in the door.