Physician practices face numerous disruptions in today’s healthcare environment, from reimbursement declines and inflation to diminished physician autonomy.
Brandon Ortega, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Long Beach (Calif.) Lakewood Orthopaedic Institute, recently joined Becker’s to discuss the obstacles faced by physician practices in 2025.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What is the most disruptive trend facing physician practices right now?
BO: As a young spine surgeon practicing in Los Angeles, I recognize that physician practices are currently navigating several disruptive trends. One of the most significant is the increasing consolidation of practices, with a notable shift of physicians moving from independent practices to employment under hospitals or corporate entities. As of early 2024, nearly 80% of physicians were employed by such organizations, continuing a decade-long decline in independent practice.
This trend is driven by various factors, including financial pressures, administrative burdens, and the pursuit of integrated care models. While consolidation can offer benefits like streamlined operations and improved resource access, it also raises concerns about maintaining clinical autonomy and preserving the personalized patient care that often characterizes independent practices.
Additionally, the rapid advancement of digital health technologies, such as telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, is reshaping patient care delivery. While these innovations enhance accessibility and convenience, they also necessitate significant investments in technology and training, posing challenges for practices striving to keep pace with evolving patient expectations and regulatory requirements.
In summary, the confluence of practice consolidation and the swift evolution of digital health technologies represents a pivotal disruptive trend in today’s healthcare landscape. Adapting to these changes requires balancing the benefits of integration and technological advancement with the imperative to maintain clinical independence and deliver patient-centered care.
