Physician Employment Model Cycles

There is recent press significantly documenting the trend to hospital employment. According to American Hospital Association data analyzed by Medscape Medical News, there is a 34% increase in physician employment by hospitals since 2000. However this trend is not revolutionary, like any sector physician employment also has cycles.

Our physician recruiting firm has absolutely seen an increase in hospital employment positions, however there are still some very strong and successful private practices that are stable, profitable, and offer many of the same appeals as hospital employment: specifically, quality of life. Private practices have a stereotype as physicians working long hours, however there are many private groups that offer shared call and very similar lifestyles compared with hospital employed groups.

Motivators for physicians seeking more private-based models are maintaining their independence, having more control of their income and day-to-day operations, and sometimes frustrations with hospital employed contracts and the feeling that the hospital isn't following through with some of the promises made during negotiations.

Hospital employment remains strong and a mutual choice amongst both physicians and hospitals; however there will always be other employment options in any cycle and economic environment, and there will always be physicians who thrive under a private model.


For more information, check out the article in MedScape Today, or click here:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/757386