Trend: Young MDs seek new practice options

Historically, doctors in training have been encouraged to see medicine as their entire life, not just something they do--and to make themselves available around the clock for patient care. But this doesn't sit well with the emerging generation of new physicians, who are intent on balancing their work with family life and personal interests.

To address their concerns, newly-minted physicians are turning to options like being a hospitalist, offering a more predictable schedule and a fixed salary. Historically, hospitalists have largely been primary care physicians, but today other specialists, such as OB-GYN physicians, are going on staff at hospitals, too. They're also showing more interest in specialties, like dermatology, which don't force them to remain on call, notes The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, group practices are being forced to change how they do business. For example, the OB-GYNs employed by Philadelphia's Albert Einstein Healthcare Network only deliver babies during three 24-hour shifts in the hospital each month, providing office care the rest of the time. Another example is San Francisco-based primary-care practice 1Life, whose physicians work four days a week for eight or nine hours a day and don't follow patients to the hospital.

To find out more about this trend:
- read this article in The Wall Street Journal

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