Rheumatologists in private practice make their own professional destinies.
antoniodiaz/shutterstock.com
When he worked for a multi-specialty practice, Jonathan M. Greer, MD, FACR, FACP, president, Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates of Palm Beach, and affiliate clinical professor of medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Boynton Beach, Fla., found that there were too many restrictions and controls and no way to enhance the revenue stream for rheumatologists. So he moved on to a private rheumatology practice in 1997.
When Elizabeth L. Perkins, MD, rheumatologist, Rheumatology Care Center, Birmingham, Ala., was interviewing for positions in 2009, she learned about a strong area need for additional rheumatologists. “The medical community, rheumatology colleagues in town and referring doctors supported my start up and growth,” she says. “I was excited to develop and brand a rheumatology practice.”
Advantages Abound
Working in a private practice allows you to control your own destiny. It’s perfect for entrepreneurial rheumatologists.
David S. Knapp, MD FACR says
June 24, 2017 at 8:39 amPracticing rheumatology is fun and rewarding, but to becoming an entrepreneur working every angle possible in order to make a practice profitable, if not viable, is not for everybody. I would suggest that today’s rheumatologist diversify their income stream outside of medicine and patient care with interesting but non-medical oppporunities (real estate, stock, business investment, non-patient care medical activities such as insurance and legal work) that over time will allow a stream of income independent of medical practice. We didn’t “sign up” to be businessmen, but that is what is required to survive and thrive in private practice. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! The fiscal future of rheumatology looks bleak.