Private Practice or Employment? 21 Experts Weigh In

For young physicians, deciding between employment and private practice can be stressful. 

While private practice offers more freedom, flexibility and independence, it can often be more challenging and offer less compensation and fewer resources.

Twenty-one ASC experts weighed in on the pros and cons of private practice over employment: 

John Peloza, MD. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Midwest Orthopedic and Spine (Chicago): Physicians will have two main practice models as we advance: employment (Hospital or Health System) and private practice. Each has pros and cons, so the choice depends on the physician’s personality, income goals, and risk tolerance. In the physician employment model, the physician is an employee of the hospital, health system, or significant medical group rather than an independent private practice. Another type of arrangement, a foundation plan, allows the physician to be independent in a small practice but on the hospital or health care system’s insurance contracts. This allows the physician more autonomy but requires significant direction from the hospital system.

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