Physician private practice trends and benefits: a response to AMA data on medical practice ownership types

Business conditions are tough and often seem like they are getting tougher for physicians who want to remain in private practice.

This year, the American Medical Association published its latest “Physician Practice Benchmark Survey,” with findings from a 2024 national survey of doctors. The data formed the foundation for a new Policy Research Perspectives paper, “Physician Practice Characteristics in 2024: Private Practices Account for Less Than Half of Physicians in Most Specialties,” by Carol K. Kane, PhD.

That study described the ownership types of their practices — independent private ownership, hospitals or health systems, private equity groups or insurers.

The figures are clear: Private practice ownership is decreasing while hospital ownership or employment is increasing in recent years.

There are some doctors who believe they can provide the best patient care when they are their own bosses. The American Independent Medical Practice Association (AIMPA) bills itself as “the first national, multi-specialty advocacy organization focused exclusively on the challenges and opportunities faced by independent medical practices.”

AIMPA President Paul Berggreen, MD, is an Arizona-based gastroenterologist. In this video series, he discusses the AMA findings, the trends they indicate, and the benefits to physicians and patients when doctors can retain their autonomy to practice medicine in the ways they want.