Unique practice

[Guest guest]

I practiced in a 4 FP group (hospital owned, but we ran it) for 14 years in the traditional mode: eat what you kill, call every third night. I made $156K/year working 60+ hours/week plus call, 12 hour days, pushing patients through the mill. My receipts were $400K/year, and stagnant, with overhead rising 5% yearly. I quit 2 years ago, when the hospital was forcing us to buy the practice. If I had stayed, I would be making ~$130/year, with the same workload, and with a debt from purchase of the practice - locked in forever. We moved 1 hour away, where I am employed by a smaller hospital to work the ED 2 nights per week, and work in a clinic they own and staff. I am paid an average salary for the clinic, plus I get 32 hours of paid ER work (mostly sleep). In the ER, I admit the patients, so no other doc has to come in. I lost some autonomy in running a practice, but gained a steady decent salary with

no risk or investment, plus I get paid for being on call. I also don't have to rush around seeing patients (low volume ED and office), and enjoy my professional life much more than in the private practice mode. I don't know if my situation translates elsewhere, but certainly there are many small hospitals where local docs can work, and increase their income without too much strain. Hospitals are also willing to employ physicians in certain circumstances. I think that soon primary care may demand payment from hospitals for being on call. Low volume ER's (<24 pts/day) are also a relaxed way to keep up emergency skills, continue to work in an office, and make some extra retirement. Toby , MD Cashiers, NC