link from the Atlantic about Hospitals purchasing physician practices

This article in the Atlantic monthly discusses how hospitals are purchasing physician practices.

Speaking from my own personal experience as both an employed physician and an independent physician, I think that being an employed physician was worse, both for the patient and for the physician.

The Atlantic article hits on a key point- when you do not have control over your own environment, it hurts morale.  From a patient standpoint, you can tell when your physician has low morale, and it affects the quality of your care and the quality of your patient experience.

I'll give one seemingly small but crucial element where I love being an independent physician- calling to make an appointment.  One common trend amongst employed physicians is a "central call" system, where you call the hospital operator, and get stuck in a phone tree.  It's unpleasant and tedious, and even more importantly can lead to errors in being sent to the wrong clinic.

In our office, when you call, you reach a live person who is in the same office as Garrett and I.  If they have a question, they can walk 5 meters and ask us a question.  It makes life easier, more pleasant, and dramatically increases the likelihood that we are the appropriate clinic for the patient's needs.