Employment

Is private-office healthcare in its death throes? Was the just-passed health reform legislation the final thrust to push out independent physicians? Find out what editorial director Bob Keaveney has to say.

From residency to retirement, your career has a lot of chapters to its story. Each year, we give you the tips and tools you need to help manage the day-to-day occurrences at your practice and enhance your own personal career goals. Here are our top 10 stories on career issues this year, according to our readers.

Are you nearing contract negotiation time? Make sure you understand what you’re reading before you sign. Here’s a detailed analysis of what should and shouldn’t be in your next binding agreement.

You did it. You landed your dream job. The offer is in hand. You've met the staff. And you can already picture your name displayed on the front office door. A little advice? Don't pop the champagne bottle just yet. There's still plenty of work to be done.

Thinking of selling your practice and getting a job with a hospital? Here's some advice for doing it right from experts who negotiate the deals.

Practices might not be forced to sell out to hospitals, but they will need an alignment strategy, argues expert Marc Halley, MBA, because physician-hospital alignment is here to stay. Here's advice on picking the right partner.

Patients. All day long they tell you how they feel, but how often do you get to tell them how you feel? We asked docs what they thought: here are 12 of our favorite responses.

Your system crashed and your data is gone. Now what?

Just like a Swiss Army knife, your practice management system should do everything you need it to do in one central location to guarantee your office’s survival. However, much like the valued outdoor utility tool, there are so many different options in terms of tools, gadgets, and styles that choosing the right one can be difficult.

Divorce is usually experienced as a personal, familial, and social loss. Afterward, each person needs to recover without permanent negative consequences from their losses, grieve, learn, and go on to better futures. Parallel issues occur in medical partnership divorce: the breaking of legal, professional, and social bonds in a partnership.

Given “the risks and hassles” of operating their own businesses, a new survey suggests that independent, private medical practices might “be a thing of the past.”

Physicians are being successfully recruited by hospital-owned practices, thanks to higher starting salaries, according to a recent survey from the MGMA.

As a mom and physician, I have lots of opportunities to work, but I don’t always derive as much satisfaction out of it as I did performing yard work yesterday. It has me considering what is the “good work” I do on a day-to-day basis.

Do you know what’s in your partnership contract? Poorly designed or nonexistent contracts can spell disaster for you and your practice. Here’s how to make sure you’re protected.

Advances in care delivery and technology are taking root now that could significantly change the way care is delivered in the future. Healthcare’s innovative thinkers and practitioners give us their predictions for the future.

You thought your retirement plan was secure. Your portfolio was on track. Then Wall Street tanked. Take heart, there are lots of options for physicians who are close to retirement. Read our un-retirement primer.

In today’s aggressive revenue cycle environment it is necessary to partner with a billing company focused on both outcomes and customer service. Roper St. Francis felt their requests for services, site visits and various business needs were not being met.

Are exotic investment vehicles right for you? Here’s the scoop on what to watch for as you consider unconventional ways to invest your money.

In the wake of a “reformed” healthcare system, here’s how to take steps now to get your practice ready for an influx of newly insured Americans.

This month's cover story reveals the results of our annual Physician Compensation Survey. Looking at the numbers, an interesting subplot that emerges is the question of whether it is worth it anymore to shoot for practice partnership or ownership.

Going into business with friends may seem like a great idea. Physicians are often asked to help fund a startup business. But these ventures often disappoint, and when they do, relationships can be ruined.

Evaluating a partnership offer has been complicated by the recession. Is ownership still worth it?

Our 2009 Physician Compensation Survey reveals general dissatisfaction - and wide divisions between specialists and primary care docs. Get all the details and advice on ways to earn what you deserve, despite the downward trend.

Wondering about taking on a partner? Think twice before signing on the dotted line.