More than 90% of new doctors received at least 10 job solicitation letters during their training, and 80% received 26 or more such letters, according to a survey released by Merritt, Hawkins & Associates, a national physician search firm based in Irving TX.

In addition, the survey found that 40% received more than 50 job solicitations.

"Like blue chip athletes, new doctors are the subject of intense recruiting efforts," said Mark Smith, president of Merritt, Hawkins & Associates. "There are simply not enough physicians coming out of training to fill all the available openings."

The survey questioned 290 doctors in their final year of training.

Merritt, Hawkins & Associates is a division of AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AHS).