athenahealth has released the results of its 9th annual Epocrates Future Physicians of American Survey, and America's future physicians say they have neither the desire nor the knowledge to participate in private practice.
Medical students today largely intend to avoid private practice, are unsatisfied with their business skills and are putting faith in technology to improve communication, according to the results of the survey, which polled 1,400 medical students on their training and on practices in the healthcare industry. According to the report:
- About three-fourths (73 percent) plan to seek employment with a hospital or large group practice.
- Just 10 percent planned to join private practice, down from 20 percent in 2008.
- About two-thirds say they are dissatisfied with the education they have received in regard to practice management, ownership and coding and billing.
Future physicians also believe that teamwork, data sharing and communication are vital to achieving high-quality care, though most think these capabilities are nowhere near where they should be to facilitate this aim.