Why an Independent Practice Community?
We have a problem! 46.7%!
Independent medical practices are becoming fewer in number & private practice is becoming less popular.
From 2012 to 2022 doctors who worked in wholly-owned physician practices decreased from 60% to 46.7% of physicians.
(https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/number-of-doctors-in-private-practice-continues-to-slide)
“They” won’t solve it.
If we are looking to others to solve the problem we will continue to have a problem.
The answers to the health of our local communities will never come from “they” the government, health insurance companies, private equity, or drug companies.
And too often the attempts by entities to support independent medical practices fail or pivot to different / more viable markets as the influence of independent physicians decreases.
We applaud those groups consistently working towards a more independent healthcare future including:
1. The Direct Primary Care Movement (DPC Alliance, DPC Coalition, Free Market Medical Association, etc…).
2. The Direct Specialty Care Movement.
3. The Independent Practice Movement.
Why ‘we’ can make a difference.
Independent Physician Practices are in a unique position to impact our communities.
1. Continuity of Care & Better Outcomes
- A study of 10 million UK GP visits over 11 years showed that patients consistently seeing the same physician led to improved health outcomes. This continuity enabled fewer follow-up visits (18% longer intervals) and potentially reduced total visits by ~5%, effectively boosting system capacity
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/23/seeing-same-gp-improves-patient-health-and-cuts-workload-of-doctors
- Strong primary care relationships (typical of independents) reduce hospital and ER use, especially in states like Massachusetts and California per HealthAffairs.
https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/does-higher-spending-primary-care-lead-lower-total-health-care-spending
2. Higher Patient Satisfaction & Trust
3. Cost-Effectiveness & Lower Overall Spending
4. Reduced Hospital & ER Utilization
According to
5. Physician & Operations Autonomy & Community Tailoring
Principles that work.
1. Healthcare is local.
2. Healthcare is relational.
3. Continuity of care is critical and powerful.
4. High quality Primary Care & Lifestyle Medicine need to be prioritized to help defeat the chronic disease epidemic.
According to the CDC 90% of the nation’s $4.5 trillion in annual healthcare expenditures are allocated to treating people with chronic and mental health conditions
https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats
5. Independent physician practices are uniquely qualified to impact our communities.
Why Independent Physician Practices?!
Attempts have been made by various entities to support independent medical practices through services, advocacy, or association.
While some are successful, many fail or pivot to different / more viable markets as the influence of independent physicians decreases.
Only the 46.7% of independent physicians and practices can make the impact needed in our communities & the difference for future independent practices.
We need a long-term solution.
We want a long-term solution for Independent Practices!
Attempts have been made by various entities to support independent medical practices through services, advocacy, or association.
While some are successful, many fail or pivot to different / more viable markets.
Independent medical practices are becoming fewer in number & private practice is becoming less popular.
From 2012 to 2022 doctors who worked in wholly-owned physician practices decreased from 60% to 46.7% of physicians.
(https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/number-of-doctors-in-private-practice-continues-to-slide)
And so it’s understandable that many attempts to serve, advocate, or support independent practices have come and gone.
We want a long-term solution!
The Goal: Successful High Quality Independent Practices
Our goal is to support the success and growth of high quality independent medical practices.
A Different Strategy
Medpm will achieve this goal by growing a community that daily supports independent practice leaders AND build the tools and resources independents want.
Phase 1.0 – Community + Events
A Community Platform
The first phase will include a custom, secure platform only for Independent Medical Practices.
The platform version 1.0 will include the basic needs to support networking, sharing, and growth.
- Community Discussion
- Group Chats
- Manager/Administrator only chat
- Physician Owner only chat
- Member Direct Messaging
- Consultant/Marketplace Channels
- Marketplace Directory
- Member Directory & Map
Events
- Live Medpm Member Huddles
- Webinars & Recordings
Membership
Independent Medical Practice Owners, Administrators, & Managers
Member Expectations
1. Help each other.
2. Provide feedback on solution needs.
3. Independent practice validation.
Phase 2.0 + Member Driven Tools & Support
The future of the community and platform will be guided by the vote and feedback of members.
In addition to feedback on events and networking, we will experiment with building the tools independents want.
The opportunity for our independent practice community to design and shape software solutions according to our needs is unique. We believe this will add value to members and practices through a grass-roots (non-venture capital) based process, that will put control in the independent practices and help keep solution prices down.
The question asked will be: Which tool do you most want next for your medical practice?
Examples:
- Secure Team Chat
- Centralized policies, procedures, notes, training
- Digital forms & patient intake
- Centralized supply ordering
- Patient reviews
- Referral Connect – direct practice to practice referrals
- HIPAA / OSHA compliance
- Marketplace & vendor discounts, consultants, assistants, accounting, legal, IT, supplies
- Job Board
- Rep Connect
- Staff Scheduling
- Insurance Rate Data (for Negotiations)
- Other
We can make a difference for independent practice!
Thank you for considering your involvement and support of independent practice through the medpm community.
We can simplify medical practice startup, management, and growth through collaboration.
Please ask any questions, share with other independents, & join the MEDPM Independent Community.