The staffing squeeze: The bottom line

Rihan Javid, D.O., J.D. boils retention down to fundamentals that practices sometimes overlook.

First, treat employees well and pay them well. Culture, flexibility and mission all matter, but if staff feel underpaid or disrespected, they’ll leave. That’s especially true in a market where everyone is hiring.

He stresses that “good treatment” is not an abstract idea, but it shows up in how leaders listen, give feedback, handle mistakes and recognize effort.

Second, he emphasizes clarity. Staff should know exactly what their job includes and what success looks like so new duties do not feel like moving goalposts. Surprises will still happen in medicine, he notes, but honest communication and well-defined roles can limit the resentment and burnout that drive turnover.

Together, he argues, competitive pay, respect, and clear expectations form the baseline for any serious retention strategy.