More Physicians To Leave Private Practice

An increase in the number of physicians leaving private practice for hospital employment is anticipated as the health care landscape continues to undergo change and the need for hospital/physician alignment accelerates, indicate two recent market reports. According to a report from Deloitte Consulting, hospitals comprised 45% of the medical setting for searches, up from 23% in 2006. Group practice search assignments comprised 29% of physician employment searches in 2009, down from 40% of total searches in 2006.Meanwhile, a study by the Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development shows that healthcare executives believe the percentage of physicians on active staff at hospitals will rise from 10% currently to 25% by 2013. The ranks of independent physicians have been decreasing by 2% annually, a rate that is anticipated to accelerate to 5% each year by 2013. The reports attribute the changes to several factors, including a desire among physicians to shoulder fewer administrative responsibilities and to enjoy a more manageable workweek. Enhanced access in hospitals to leading-edge healthcare IT tools, facilities, and equipment; as well as a perceived need for stability in a business environment made uncertain by payment reforms and other developments; also ranked as catalysts here. So, too, did more aggressive approaches being taken by hospitals to beef up staffing levels in specialty areas, including radiology, oncology, and orthopedics. Download a PDF of the Deloitte report. — Julie Ritzer Ross