Will changes in health care eliminate private practice medicine?

At the Heart Rhythm’s annual scientific sessions in May 2010, questions were raised about the future of private practice medicine. For example:

1. Will fee-for-service be eliminated?
2. Will all private practice physicians join with hospitals and/or medical institutions?

Many private practice electrophysiologists are questioning their role and existence either as a private practitioner in solo practice or as a member of a group practice. However, the long-term independence of the physician practice remains in question. Hopefully, this blog will serve as a launching pad for any remarks in this area. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Todd J. Cohen, MD is the Emeritus Editor In-Chief of EP Lab Digest. He serves as Director of Electrophysiology, Director of the Pacemaker-Arrhythmia Center, and Director of Advanced EP Technology and Innovations at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York. He is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York in Stony Brook. Look for his new blog next month on the Journal of Invasive Cardiology website (www.invasivecardiology.com).