Modern medical practice: a profession in transition.
Modern medical practice is in a state of transition. The solo practitioner is slowly giving way to the large organized groups of health care providers. Driving this force of change is a change in payment for health care services from cost plus to preestablished pricing. For the first time, medical practice patterns are having a direct impact on the financial viability of the health care institution. To maintain quality of patient care and contain costs, more and more physicians are becoming involved in the administrative side of running a hospital. This article describes the forces of change, the change itself, and the future of medicine.
D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000639:trends*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011331:Private Practice / Q000639:trends*; D012380:Role; D014481:United States