<p>Physicians are almost all private practice. They agree with hospitals to use the space; they're not hospital employees. If anything, you could say that the hospital is "renting" them rooms in which to put their patients.</p>
<p>compare/contrast private practice or normal employee/employer? </p>
<p>which is better/has more benefits?</p>
<p>My understanding is, outside of the Kaiser system, the VA, and university faculty, doctors are in private practice. I don't really think there's anything to compare, because my impression is that it's just not (as currently practiced) an option.</p>
<p>Lots of ER docs don't work private practice, they work for a company that the hospital hires to do the ER work. That company bills you for being in the ER and using their docs, and the hospital bills you for the bed and supplies.</p>
<p>quote "I don't understand why people are so slow to adapt to the reality that in a very short time, medicine is likely to become less- and less-well-compensated over time - welcome to managed care, universal health care, and a whole host of economic complexities."</p>
<p>In a way, I wish it would so that those who truely want to practice medicine and contribute to the well being of others will have an easier shot at achieving that dream by being admitted to quality medical schools. It would weed out those who just want to make a ton of money or climb the social/political ladder.</p>
<p>well, those who are interested in becoming a doctor already have a hard enough time with the rigerious courses one has to take. Those who have no interest and only do it for the money are bound to fail e.g. Organic Chemistry. (I really hope I don't get weeded out of organic chemistry)</p>
<p>Yes, look how hard it is to get quality teachers because in many states pay is low. How many "top" people do you think medicine will attract when they spend 4 yrs undergrad, 4 yrs med school, 1 internship and 3-5 or more in residency and fellowships and then finish greatly in debt and not have high reimbursement? </p>
<p>I know my husband never turns away a patient due to lack of insurance (cardiology practice) but no tax breaks for doing that. However the gov't and insurance co. will step in and say that a diagnostic test will not be covered even though physician feels it is in patient's best interest--so only answer is do the test, not get paid.</p>