title: Understanding the forces driving medical group practice activities: an overview.
abstract: This article provides the historical context for examining the current forces driving medical group practice organizations. Prepayment has been around for some groups since the 1930s and the dual objectives of lowering costs and improving the quality of patient care were among the original reasons for forming group practices. Some of the basic issues for group practices today are discussed in light of evolution of this model of service delivery and the intensity of today's changing environment.
authors.affiliation: Medical Group Management Association, Englewood, CO, USA.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D006123:Group Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States