Trends Impacting Physician Choice and Utilization

Finding the Best Doctor for You by Anna Wilde Mathews.  The Wall Street Journal.  September 24, 2012.

Key Ideas/Summary.  Things are changing at the doctor's office.

(1)  Primary-care physicians are increasingly aiming to be in the role of overseeing all aspects of a patients health.  With the assistance of nurses and physicians assistants, physicians are increasingly adopting the concept of "medical home" is growing.  The primary-care physician coordinates with specialists and ensures that patients get preventive tests.

(2)  Some primary-care physicians are a abandoning solo/small practices for employment by hospitals or medical groups.  Access to resources is a key reason

(3)  Some doctors are refusing to accept insurance requiring the patients to pay them directly.  Sometimes this payment is in the form of a monthly fee.  Others may charge up to $20,000 or more for services such as house calls, cellphone access, and other personalized services.

(4)  Workplace clinics are becoming increasingly common.