A novel incentive system for faculty in an academic medical center

The need to contain health care costs has led some physicians to become salaried employees of health care organizations. However, the use of nonfinancial incentives for physicians in such an environment has not been broadly explored. The authors describe a novel incentive system that is designed to promote continuing high-quality care and to increase patient access to health care while enhancing clinical and academic productivity and physician satisfaction. Key components of this system include annual targets, flexibility in meeting these targets, and ability to convert clinical productivity generated in excess of what was necessary to meet the target to support scholarly activities. This system led to increased faculty productivity, improved patient access, enhanced scholarly activity, and overall enhanced career satisfaction.