Survey says more U.S. doctors are leaving private practices
An increasing number of U.S. doctors are expected to leave private practice for hospital employment over the next 18 months, due to rising costs and technology mandates, according to a new report from Accenture.
In addition, by the end of 2013, Accenture also says that one-in-three doctors remaining independent will offer patients subscription-based services, such as telemedicine
or online consultations, for sustaining profit. That trend is expected to increase three-fold over the next three years, according to the study—The Accenture Physician Alignment Survey.
Over the past decade, the number of independent U.S. physicians has dropped from 57 percent in 2000 to 39 percent in 2012. By the end of 2013, Accenture predicts this number will fall to about 36 percent.
"More independent physicians are offering subscription-based services as a way for patients to customize their care experience," according to Kaveh Safavi, who leads Accenture's North America health industry. "Meanwhile, patients appreciate the opportunity to supplement their existing coverage with premium, subscription-based services, such as same-day appointments and online prescription refills."
Other findings of the Accenture survey include:
- The majority (87 percent) of physicians surveyed cited the cost and expense of running a business as a chief concern;
- Most doctors (65 percent) joining health systems said they expect to make the same or less compensation than in private practice;
- Sixty-one percent cited business operations as a main reason for seeking hospital employment rather than remaining independent;
- More than half of doctors (53 percent) cited electronic medical record requirements as a main reason for leaving private practice.
The Accenture survey findings resulted from market analysis on U.S. physician employment and a survey of 204 physicians in independent practice. The survey was conducted in May 2012.
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