ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest an increasing trend of plastic surgeons choosing private practice after training, with up to 90% pursuing private practice without future fellowships.1 Previous data showed that 66.7% of graduates from plastic surgery residency programs chose to pursue private practice without future fellowship, while more recent studies estimate this statistic has risen close to 90%.1,2 The literature has yet to characterize the current plastic surgery workforce and changes in its composition over time. This study aims to analyze the characteristics and training of plastic surgeons in California through a comparative study with general surgeons. METHODS: Surgeon demographics were extracted from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services open database. Urban/rural classification and academic affiliation were crosslinked from the Inpatient Prospective System database and sole proprietorship status was cross-linked from the NPI Registry. Summary statistics and logistic regressions with chi-squared analysis were analyzed using STATA/MP17. RESULTS: Our analysis consisted of 3871 plastic and general surgeons in California. Compared to general surgeons, plastic surgeons were less likely to be females (P < 0.000), and more likely to be sole proprietors (P < 0.000), and affiliated with a teaching hospital (P < 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of rural-practicing plastic and general surgeons (P = 0.590). More recent plastic surgery graduates were more likely to be affiliated with an academic hospital (P < 0.0000). The composition of females significantly increased from the older graduated cohort to the most recent one. There was no significant difference in sole proprietorship and rural practice status between the oldest and youngest graduating cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Although the California plastic surgery workforce is gaining female plastic surgeons and shifting to academic institutions, significant progress in serving rural communities is yet to be made. Our study suggests that there may be a shift in the trend of plastic surgeons opting for private practice, possibly driven by a desire for more stable positions in academia. Continued improvement in diversity and training of future plastic surgeons is needed to alleviate the rural care gap.
Subject(s)
Surgery, Plastic , Humans , California , Surgery, Plastic/education , Surgery, Plastic/trends , Surgery, Plastic/statistics & numerical data , Female , Male , Private Practice/statistics & numerical data , Private Practice/trends , Career Choice , Surgeons/statistics & numerical data , Surgeons/trends , Adult , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The spring 2020 COVID-19 epidemic severely impacted France's healthcare system. The associated lockdown (17 March- 11 May 2020) and the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 led patients to change their use of healthcare. This article presents the development and implementation of a real-time system to monitor i) private doctors' activity in South-eastern France, and ii) changes in prescription of drugs for people with diabetes, mental health disorders and for certain vaccines from Mars 2020 to October 2020. METHODS: Data extracted from the regional healthcare insurance databases for 2019 and 2020 were used to construct indicators of healthcare use. They were calculated on a weekly basis, starting from week 2 2020 and compared for the same period between 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: Private doctors' activity decreased during the spring 2020 lockdown (by 23 % for general practitioners and 46 % for specialists), followed by an almost complete return to normal after it ended until week 41. Over the same period, a huge increase in teleconsultations was observed, accounting for 30 % of private doctors' consultations at the height of the crisis. The start of the lockdown was marked by a peak in drug prescriptions, while vaccinations declined sharply (by 39 % for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in children under 5 years old, and by 54 % for human papillomavirus vaccine in girls aged 10-14 years old). CONCLUSION: The ongoing COVID-19 epidemic may lead to health consequences other than those directly attributable to the disease itself. Specifically, lockdowns and foregoing healthcare could be very harmful at the individual and population levels. The latter issue is a concern for French public authorities, which have implemented actions aimed at encouraging patients to immediately seek treatment. However, the COVID-19 crisis has also created opportunities, such as the roll-out of teleconsultation and tele-expertise. The indicators described here as part of the monitoring system can help public decision-makers to become more responsive and to implement tailored actions to better meet the general population's healthcare needs.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , France/epidemiology , Humans , Private Practice/trends , Telemedicine/trends , Vaccination/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the use and concern of telemedicine among German urologists, and thus, there are no established guidelines for telemedical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urological indications. METHODS: An anonymized survey was conducted among German private practice urologists during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 257 urologists were included in the final analysis. Thirty-five (14.0%) of urologists had used telemedicine as part of their consultation, and 221 (86.0%) had not used telemedicine. There was no difference between telemedicine adoption rates between rural and urban settings. Telemedicine users were significantly more satisfied with the information they had received regarding telemedicine issues. Users saw the greatest barrier to telemedicine that patients do not take up the offer of telemedicine. Nonusers were most concerned with unclear indications for telemedicine followed by lesser reimbursements during telemedicine than in-person visitations. Users were significantly more likely to use telemedicine beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Urologists, who wanted to use the service in the future, wanted an active support by the German society of urology and guidelines for telemedicine. Last, users and nonusers preferred telemedicine for non-acute chronic diseases and follow-up visitations. CONCLUSION: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine remains a rarely used service among German private practice urologists. Ultimately, to overcome the current challenges, urologists require an active support for the service through the German Society of Urology and telemedical guidelines.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Private Practice/trends , Telemedicine/trends , Urologic Diseases/therapy , Urologists/trends , Urology/trends , Adult , Aged , Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Computers , Germany , Health Care Surveys , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Middle Aged , Urologic Diseases/diagnosisABSTRACT
Importance: As health care delivery markets have changed and new payment models have emerged, physicians in many specialties have consolidated their practices, but whether this consolidation has occurred in surgical practices is unknown. Objective: To examine changes in the size of surgical practices, market-level factors associated with this consolidation, and how place of service for surgical care delivery varies by practice size. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional study of Medicare Data on Provider Practice and Specialty from January 1 to December 31, 2013, compared with January 1 to December 31, 2017, was conducted on all general surgeon practices caring for patients enrolled in Medicare in the US. Data analysis was performed from November 4, 2019, to January 9, 2020. Exposures: Practice sizes in 2013 and 2017 were compared relative to hospital market concentration measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index in the hospital referral region. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the change in size of surgical practices over the study period. Secondary outcomes included change in surgical practice market concentration and the place of service for provision of surgical care stratified by surgical practice size. Results: From 2013 to 2017, the number of surgical practices in the US decreased from 10â¯432 to 8451. The proportion of surgeons decreased in practices with 1 (from 26.2% to 17.4%), 2 (from 8.3% to 6.6%), and 3 to 5 (from 18.0% to 16.5%) surgeons, and the proportion of surgeons in practices with 6 or more surgeons increased (from 47.6% to 59.5%). Hospital concentration was associated with an increase in the size of the surgical practice. Each 10% increase in the hospital market concentration was associated with an increase of 0.204 surgeons (95% CI, 0.020-0.388 surgeons; P = .03) per practice from 2013 to 2017. Similarly, a 10% increase in the hospital-level HHI was associated with an increase in the surgical practice HHI of 0.023 (95% CI, 0.013-0.033; P < .001). Large surgical practices increased their share of Medicare services provided from 36.5% in 2013 to 45.6% in 2017. Large practices (31.3% inpatient in 2013 to 33.1% in 2017) were much more likely than small practices (19.0% inpatient in 2013 to 17.7% in 2017) to be based in hospital settings and this gap widened over time. Conclusions and Relevance: Surgeons have increasingly joined larger practices over time, and there has been a significant decrease in solo, small, and midsize surgical practices. The consolidation of surgeons into larger practices appears to be associated with hospital market concentration in the same market. Although overall care appears to be more hospital based for larger practices, the association between the consolidation of surgical practices and patient access and outcomes should be studied.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/trends , General Surgery/trends , Group Practice/trends , Private Practice/trends , Ambulatory Care , Cross-Sectional Studies , Emergency Service, Hospital , Hospitals , Humans , Medicare , Physicians' Offices , Professional Practice Location , Surgicenters , United StatesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The Australian federal government introduced new COVID-19 psychiatrist Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items to assist with providing private specialist care. We investigate private psychiatrists' uptake of video and telephone telehealth, as well as total (telehealth and face-to-face) consultations for Quarter 3 (July-September), 2020. We compare these to the same quarter in 2019. METHOD: MBS-item service data were extracted for COVID-19-psychiatrist video and telephone telehealth item numbers and compared with Quarter 3 (July-September), 2019, of face-to-face consultations for the whole of Australia. RESULTS: The number of psychiatry consultations (telehealth and face-to-face) rose during the first wave of the pandemic in Quarter 3, 2020, by 14% compared to Quarter 3, 2019, with telehealth 43% of this total. Face-to-face consultations in Quarter 3, 2020 were only 64% of the comparative number of Quarter 3, 2019 consultations. Most telehealth involved short telephone consultations of ⩽15-30 min. Video consultations comprised 42% of total telehealth provision: these were for new patient assessments and longer consultations. These figures represent increased face-to-face consultation compared to Quarter 2, 2020, with substantial maintenance of telehealth consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Private psychiatrists continued using the new COVID-19 MBS telehealth items for Quarter 3, 2020 to increase the number of patient care contacts in the context of decreased face-to-face consultations compared to 2019, but increased face-to-face consultations compared to Quarter 2, 2020.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Mental Disorders/therapy , Mental Health Services/trends , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Private Practice/trends , Psychiatry/trends , Telemedicine/trends , Ambulatory Care/methods , Ambulatory Care/organization & administration , Ambulatory Care/trends , Australia , COVID-19/epidemiology , Facilities and Services Utilization/trends , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Humans , Mental Health Services/organization & administration , National Health Programs , Pandemics , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/organization & administration , Private Practice/organization & administration , Psychiatry/organization & administration , Telemedicine/methods , Telemedicine/organization & administration , Telephone/trends , Videoconferencing/trendsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The Australian Commonwealth Government introduced new psychiatrist Medicare-Benefits-Schedule (MBS)-telehealth items in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with previously office-based psychiatric practice. We investigate private psychiatrists' uptake of (1) video- and telephone-telehealth consultations for Quarter-2 (April-June) of 2020 and (2) total telehealth and face-to-face consultations in Quarter-2, 2020 in comparison to Quarter-2, 2019 for Australia. METHODS: MBS item service data were extracted for COVID-19-psychiatrist-video- and telephone-telehealth item numbers and compared with a baseline of the Quarter-2, 2019 (April-June 2019) of face-to-face consultations for the whole of Australia. RESULTS: Combined telehealth and face-to-face psychiatry consultations rose during the first wave of the pandemic in Quarter-2, 2020 by 14% compared to Quarter-2, 2019 and telehealth was approximately half of this total. Face-to-face consultations in 2020 comprised only 56% of the comparative Quarter-2, 2019 consultations. Most telehealth provision was by telephone for short consultations of ⩽15-30 min. Video consultations comprised 38% of the total telehealth provision (for new patient assessments and longer consultations). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a flexible, rapid response to patient demand by private psychiatrists using the new COVID-19-MBS-telehealth items for Quarter-2, 2020, and in the context of decreased face-to-face consultations, ongoing telehealth is essential.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Facilities and Services Utilization/trends , Mental Health Services/trends , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Private Practice/trends , Psychiatry/trends , Telemedicine/trends , Australia/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Facilities and Services Utilization/organization & administration , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Humans , Mental Health Services/organization & administration , National Health Programs , Pandemics , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/organization & administration , Private Practice/organization & administration , Psychiatry/methods , Psychiatry/organization & administration , Telemedicine/methods , Telemedicine/organization & administration , Telephone , VideoconferencingABSTRACT
Chronic kidney disease remains highly prevalent and exerts a heavy economic burden. The practice of nephrology has come a long way in managing this disease, though there remains room for improvement. The private domain, where more than half of the adult nephrology workforce operates, faces serious challenges. Interest has decreased in the field, leading to diminished recruitment. There has been a reduction in both reimbursement rates and revenues. We discuss the current state of private practice nephrology and strategies to reinvigorate our discipline. There needs to be a focus on preparing fellows during training not only for academic careers, but also for effective functioning in the environment of private practice and development of pathways for growth. We believe that private practice nephrology must expand its frontiers to be fulfilling professionally, challenging academically, and successful financially. The United States government has recently announced the Advancing American Kidney Health Executive Order which seeks to prioritize optimal treatments for patients with kidney disease. We are optimistic that there is a renaissance afoot in nephrology and that our field is in the process of rediscovering itself, with its best days yet to come.
Subject(s)
Nephrology/trends , Private Practice/trends , Career Mobility , Forecasting , Humans , Nephrology/statistics & numerical data , Private Practice/organization & administration , Private Practice/statistics & numerical data , United StatesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the smaller Australian state/territory service impact of the introduction of new COVID-19 psychiatrist video and telephone telehealth Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items. METHOD: MBS item service data were extracted for COVID-19 psychiatrist video and telephone telehealth item numbers corresponding to the pre-existing in-person consultations for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA) and Tasmania. RESULTS: The overall rate of consultations (face-to-face and telehealth) increased during March and April 2020, compared to the monthly face-to-face consultation average, excepting Tasmania. Compared to an annual monthly average of in-person consultations for July 2018-June 2019, total telepsychiatry consultations were higher for April than May. For total video and telephone telehealth consultations combined, video consultations were lower in April and higher in May. As a percentage of combined telehealth and in-person consultations, telehealth was greater for April and lower for May compared to the monthly face-to-face consultation average. CONCLUSIONS: In the smaller states/territories, the private practice workforce rapidly adopted COVID-19 MBS telehealth items, with the majority of psychiatric consultation shifting to telehealth initially, and then returning to face-to-face. With a second wave of COVID-19 in Australia, telehealth is likely to remain a vital part of the national mental health strategy.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Mental Health Services , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Private Practice , Remote Consultation/methods , Videoconferencing , Adult , Australia/epidemiology , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/psychology , Female , Humans , Insurance Claim Review , Male , Mental Health Services/organization & administration , Mental Health Services/trends , Organizational Innovation , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/psychology , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/organization & administration , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Private Practice/organization & administration , Private Practice/trends , SARS-CoV-2 , Telemedicine/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The use of telemedicine has grown in recent years. As a subset of telemedicine, e-visits typically involve the evaluation and management of a patient by a physician or other clinician through a Web-based or electronic communication system. The national prevalence of e-visits by primary care physicians is unclear as is what factors influence adoption. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of family physicians providing e-visits and associated factors. METHODS: A national, cross-sectional practice demographic questionnaire for 7580 practicing family physicians was utilized. Bivariate statistics were calculated and logistic regression was conducted examining both physician level and practice level factors associated with offering e-visits. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of offering e-visits was 9.3% (n = 702). Compared with private practice physicians, other physicians were more likely to offer e-visits if their primary practice was an academic health center/faculty practice (odds ratio [OR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.91), managed care/health maintenance organization (HMO) practice (OR, 9.79; 95% CI, 7.05 to 13.58), hospital-/health system-owned medical practice (not including managed care or HMO) (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.83 to 3.41), workplace clinic (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.43 to 3.63), or federal (military, Veterans Administration [VA]/Department of Defense) (OR, 4.49; 95% CI, 2.93 to 6.89). Physicians with no official ownership stake (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.68) or other ownership arrangement (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.71) had lower odds of offering e-visits compared with sole owners. CONCLUSION: Fewer than 10% of family physicians provided e-visits. Physicians in HMO and VA settings (ie, capitated vs noncapitated models) were more likely to provide e-visits, which suggests that reimbursement may be a major barrier.
Subject(s)
Office Visits/trends , Physicians, Family/statistics & numerical data , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Telemedicine/trends , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Office Visits/economics , Office Visits/statistics & numerical data , Physicians, Family/economics , Physicians, Family/trends , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/economics , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Primary Health Care/economics , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Primary Health Care/trends , Private Practice/economics , Private Practice/statistics & numerical data , Private Practice/trends , Reimbursement Mechanisms/economics , Reimbursement Mechanisms/statistics & numerical data , Telemedicine/economics , Telemedicine/statistics & numerical data , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Practice-based registration could identify 'general' and 'homeopathic' prognostic factors for therapeutic success in patients who seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)/homeopathic treatment. Identification of 'best homeopathic cases' within a database could inform clinical research and improve homeopathic practice. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of registration in daily CAM/homeopathic practice, evaluate patient-reported outcome measures and tools for identifying 'best homeopathic cases' and to make recommendations for an electronic database. METHODS: In 2015 and 2016, 25 homeopathic doctors registered details of a maximum of 20 patients each, with 6 months of follow-up (extended follow-up for 'best homeopathic cases'), in Excel or in the Homeopathic Administration and Registration Program (HARP) database. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. Patient-perceived change of main complaint was measured by a 7-point Likert scale. Best homeopathic cases were defined by treatment with one homeopathic medicine, ≥ 2 months of follow-up, result score +2 to +4 on a 9-point Likert scale by the doctor, and by changes that could be attributed to the homeopathic medicine. Association between scores for change of main complaint and scores for 'best homeopathic case' was analysed by the Kruskal gamma test. RESULTS: Three-hundred and ninety-nine patients were included. In 49.1%, the main complaint was present for ≥ 2 years. The most common diagnosis was 'fatigue' (N = 56; 14%). Major improvement in the main complaint (score +3) was reported by 22 to 26% at consecutive follow-up visits. One-hundred and ninety-six patients were treated with a single homeopathic medicine, among whom 66 'best homeopathic cases' were identified. The correlation between patient-reported changes of main complaint and assessment by the doctor was significant (gamma = 0.832; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Registration of (co-)diagnoses, chronicity, treatments and outcomes in homeopathic practice with identification of 'best homeopathic cases' is feasible, using the tools provided. A user-friendly electronic database for efficient recording is recommended.
Subject(s)
Homeopathy/methods , Private Practice/trends , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Complementary Therapies/methods , Eczema/therapy , Fatigue/therapy , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Netherlands , Patient Satisfaction , Pilot Projects , Private Practice/organization & administration , Prospective Studies , Sleep Wake Disorders/therapy , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
As health care reform shifts toward value over volume, academic medical centers, known for highly specialized, high-cost care, will suffer from erosion of their traditional funding sources. Academic medical centers have undertaken mergers and partnerships with community medical centers, to maintain a more diversified, cost-effective, and competitive presence in their markets. These consolidations have seen varying results. Cultural factors are frequently cited as a cause of dysfunction and disintegration. Anesthesiology groups integrating academic and private practice physicians are likely to face many of the same challenges. Appropriate attention to culture and other key issues may help realize numerous benefits.
Subject(s)
Academic Medical Centers/organization & administration , Anesthesiologists , Anesthesiology/organization & administration , Health Care Sector/organization & administration , Private Practice/organization & administration , Academic Medical Centers/trends , Anesthesiology/trends , Health Care Sector/trends , Humans , Organizational Culture , Private Practice/trends , Public-Private Sector PartnershipsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Thoracic duct embolization (TDE) has become the standard treatment for atraumatic and traumatic chylothoraces. Numerous approaches to embolization including intranodal lymphangiography, transabdominal, and retrograde catheterization of the thoracic duct have become the preferred methods for the treatment of chyle leaks. The purpose of this study was to determine training, treatment techniques, outcomes, and practice patterns of practitioners performing TDE. METHODS: From September to October of 2017, a 34-question survey focusing on training, treatment techniques, outcomes, and practice patterns of TDE was distributed through the Open Forum of the Society of Interventional Radiology Connect website. Fifty-four practitioners completed the entire survey. Percentages were calculated for answers to the questions. Chi-squared analysis was performed, comparing data from academic center respondents, private practice settings, and hybrid practice settings. P values < 0.5 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: All responses were from interventional radiologists. Forty-seven practitioners (87.0%) performed TDE in the United States, and 1 performed (1.9%) abroad; 6 practitioners (11.1%) did not perform TDE. Of all, 88.9% (n = 48) performed TDE in academic (n = 24; 50%), private (n = 17; 35.4%), or hybrid (n = 6; 12.5%) practice settings. For diagnostic lymphangiography, 100% (n = 48) performed intranodal pelvic lymphangiography. A 25-gauge needle was used by 77.1% (n = 37) to access pelvic lymph nodes, and most (83.3%; n = 40) reported using manual hand injection to administer ethiodized oil. Nine of 24 (37.5%) respondents in academic practice and 15 of 23 (65.2%) in private practice were successful in cannulating the thoracic duct >80% of the time. Most referrals were from thoracic surgery (n = 47; 97.9%). CONCLUSIONS: TDE is performed by practitioners in both academic and private practice settings. Treatment techniques were similar for a majority of operators. Technical success rates were higher in private practice. Most referrals were from thoracic surgery.
Subject(s)
Chylothorax/therapy , Embolization, Therapeutic/trends , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Radiography, Interventional/trends , Radiologists/trends , Thoracic Duct , Academic Medical Centers/trends , Chylothorax/diagnostic imaging , Clinical Competence , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Private Practice/trends , Radiography, Interventional/adverse effects , Radiologists/education , Risk Factors , Thoracic Duct/diagnostic imaging , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing workforce numbers, new graduate physiotherapists are reporting short career intentions due to low job satisfaction. Job satisfaction improves retention among allied health professionals, however we have limited understanding of its influence specific to physiotherapists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore factors contributing to the job satisfaction of musculoskeletal physiotherapists working in private practice across different career stages (new graduates, graduates, postgraduates, and owners) in Western Australia. DESIGN: Mixed-methods design with an anonymous self-administered survey capturing job satisfaction and employment characteristics of Western Australian physiotherapists working in private practice. Factors including peer support and mentoring, career progression and professional development were explored. METHOD: Physiotherapists were recruited through snowball sampling, with 60 practices approached to participate. Survey results were analysed using linear regression models and basic thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two-hundred and five surveys were completed by physiotherapists across 52 practices. The mean job satisfaction score was 41.9 out of 50, and increased job satisfaction was associated with practice ownership, salary satisfaction, established career pathways, and access to mentoring and professional development. CONCLUSIONS: Practice owners were significantly more satisfied with their job compared to new graduate, graduate and postgraduate physiotherapists. Findings illustrated the changing needs for support across different career stages, the importance of accessible senior clinicians, and the limited recognition for the efforts made by physiotherapists to pursue ongoing education.
Subject(s)
Job Satisfaction , Musculoskeletal Pain/rehabilitation , Physical Therapists , Private Practice/standards , Salaries and Fringe Benefits/economics , Adult , Career Choice , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Musculoskeletal Pain/physiopathology , Private Practice/trends , Surveys and Questionnaires , Western AustraliaABSTRACT
Many practice groups are considering adopting new practice models, primarily to secure their practices by adapting to new payment models, government compliance and regulation, and increasing IT and infrastructure costs. As we move toward value-based care and capitation, the value equation (value = quality/cost) will lead us to also compete on cost to improve value. No matter what payment models ultimately dominate, we need to be prepared to lead in a value-based care environment. Measures of value will either be defined by radiologists or imposed by outside entities. It is critical to our continued success that practices and practice leaders continue to fully and strongly support the ACR to avoid the possibility of a decline in membership that may accompany a lack of practice engagement. Consolidation appears inevitable, but with the help of the ACR, radiologists should have a vibrant future if investments are made now in determining appropriate radiology-specific value measures that are meaningful in consolidated health care environments.
Subject(s)
Entrepreneurship/trends , Practice Management, Medical/trends , Private Practice/trends , Radiology Department, Hospital/trends , Radiology/trends , Congresses as Topic , Forecasting , Humans , Organizational Innovation , Ownership/trends , Societies, Medical , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) practice profile surveys have been conducted for more than a decade to gauge trends in our workforce supply and demand. OBJECTIVE: To update the trends and current workforce issues for the field of dermatology. METHODS: The AAD Practice Profile Survey is sent by both e-mail and postal mail to a random sample of practicing dermatologists who are AAD members. RESULTS: Shifts are noted in the primary practice setting; fewer dermatologists are in solo practice and more are in group practices than in previous years. Teledermatology use trended upward from 7% to 11% between 2012 and 2014. The implementation of electronic health records increased from 51% in 2011 to 70% in 2014. LIMITATIONS: There is potential for response bias and inaccurate self-reporting. Survey responses collected may not be representative of all geographic areas. CONCLUSION: The demand for dermatology services remains strong. Shifts in the practice setting may be related to increases in overhead costs that are partially associated with the implementation of technology-based medical records. Integration of electronic health records and utilization of telemedicine are increasing.