Physicians, Don’t Abandon the Private Practice

As a whole, physicians are running from private practice like it’s the bubonic plague circa 1350. More than one-third of physicians plan to leave private medical practice within the next 10 years according to a Jackson Healthcare study.

Should you join the mass exodus? Probably not. Even though some say the changing healthcare landscape is forcing the hand of physicians, there are still advantages to practicing in a private solo- or small-group setting.

EHRs Help, Not Hurt, Private Practices
A New York Times article about the trend away from small, private practice stated that high EHR costs might be a reason physicians are moving toward the health system setting. This shouldn’t be the case.

For one, implementing an EHR doesn’t have to mean high startup costs. Cloud-based EHR systems bypass the high installation costs of client-served based EHRs, which are sometimes as high as $40,000.

Also, a quality EHR should end up saving you money in the long run, not be the reason you need to become a hospital employee. EHRs increase the efficiency of operations, save money on paper and help with claims reimbursement. And of course, achieving Meaningful Use via a certified EHR means high monetary incentive payouts.

Patient Relationships
Practicing in a hospital or health system environment increases the chance of losing the intimate doctor-patient relationship that has been a part of medicine for so long. Patients who receive primary care at health clinics are less likely to see the same physician time and time again.

An American Journal of Public Health study shows that a continuous physician-patient relationship results in greater overall satisfaction for both the physician and the patient. Also, physicians who did not have continuous patient relationships viewed their clinic unfavorably when compared to the traditional private practice.

Autonomy
When you join a hospital or health system, you become part of a bureaucracy. So, the decision making power available in a solo or small group practice dissipates and ends up affecting every aspect of your work.

Something as simple as purchasing a new chair can become a slow, tedious process. Instead of going out on the weekend and making the purchase, you might have to fill a request form to turn it into administration, who may or may not grant your request for the new chair.

Obviously, it goes beyond the comfy office chair. Private practice physicians have far more control over details, particularly with regards to earnings. Rather than being locked into a salary range, you can switch payment models or cut back on administrative costs to increase earnings.

There are certain things that have become a part of the cultural fabric over the years and the small, private practice is one of them. Just because healthcare is changing doesn’t mean these practices have to fade away. The benefits of both the old and new can be realized if private practices remain a part of healthcare’s fabric.

Can you think of any other advantages to operating a private practice?

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