title: Medical practice integration: going big in private practice.
abstract: Historically, gastroenterologists entered into solo, small group, or academic practices. The current economic environment and looming regulatory mandates have led to gastroenterologists integrating into large, single-specialty groups to acquire costly practice infrastructure, gain negotiating leverage with health plans, promote high-quality care, and benefit from professional practice management. Individual gastroenterologists must assess whether a large practice will meet their personal goals, financial needs, and professional visions. The decision to integrate into a large practice will also be affected by local practice patterns and regulatory issues. For these and other reasons, gastroenterologists are going big in private practice.
authors.affiliation: Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, Dallas, USA. kpersley66@aol.com
authors.forename: Kimberly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Persley
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D005762:Gastroenterology; D006123:Group Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D011331:Private Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*