According to data released by Medscape Medical News, physician employment by hospitals has increased since 2000. This increase is partly due to the protection that working for a large entity affords a physician. Many physicians feel that they can truly focus upon their specialized field by working in a hospital environment, as opposed to opening a private practice.
Working for a hospital relieves the physician of trying to keep up with complex private health care insurance and government regulations, investing in medical equipment and technology, marketing and HR issues. While owning a private practice gives a physician more independence and the physician is not constrained by the hospital’s policies or procedures, the private-practice physician must be concerned with all the business issues, which could be undertaken by a hospital employer.
It seems the current trend is leaning toward more physicians choosing to work for a hospital, with the private-practice physician becoming rare. But, as Uwe Reinhardt, Ph.D., a healthcare economist at Princeton University, told Medscape, “Don’t forget, there are cycles. Some years from now, there will be a whole new trend. Physicians working in hospitals will see what is profitable and what is not, and will jump out and establish practices in the profitable things.”
Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C. offers legal advice to physicians on medical issues. If you need legal assistance or guidance on a matter regarding your practice, please call our office.
Source: http://www.pagingdrblog.com/2012/04/12/private-practice-or-hospital-employment/
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