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Home Research Research Library Solo and Small Practices: A Vital, Diverse Part of Primary Care Solo and Small Practices: A Vital, Diverse Part of Primary Care 2016 Author(s) Liaw, Winston R, Jetty, Anuradha, Petterson, Stephen M, Peterson, Lars E, and Bazemore, Andrew W Topic(s) Role of Primary Care Keyword(s) Practice Organization / Ownership, and Rural Volume Annals of Family Medicine Source Annals of Family Medicine PURPOSE: Solo and small practices are facing growing pressure to consolidate. Our objectives were to determine (1) the percentage of family physicians in solo and small practices, and (2) the characteristics of and services provided by these practices. METHODS: A total of 10,888 family physicians seeking certification through the American Board of Family Medicine in 2013 completed a demographic survey. Their practices were split into categories by size: solo, small (2 to 5 providers), medium (6 to 20 providers), and large (more than 20 providers). We also determined the rurality of the county where the physicians practiced. We developed 2 logistic regression models: one assessed predictors of practicing in a solo or small practice, while the other was restricted to solo and small practices and assessed predictors of practicing in a solo practice. RESULTS: More than one-half of respondents worked in solo or small practices. Small practices were the largest group (36%) and were the most likely to be located in a rural setting (20%). The likelihood of having a care coordinator and medical home certification increased with practice size. Physicians were more likely to be practicing in small or solo practices (vs medium-sized or large ones) if they were African American or Hispanic, had been working for more than 30 years, and worked in rural areas. Physicians were more likely to be practicing in small practices (vs solo ones) if they worked in highly rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians in solo and small practices comprised the majority among all family physicians seeking board certification and were more likely to work in rural geographies. Extension programs and community health teams have the potential to support transformation within these practices. Read More ABFM Research Read all 2013 Do residents who train in safety net settings return for practice? Go to Do residents who train in safety net settings return for practice? 2023 Characteristics of Family Physicians Who Work in Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Settings Go to Characteristics of Family Physicians Who Work in Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Settings 2013 Working together in the best interest of patients Go to Working together in the best interest of patients 2013 Factors influencing family physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) Go to Factors influencing family physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs)
Author(s) Liaw, Winston R, Jetty, Anuradha, Petterson, Stephen M, Peterson, Lars E, and Bazemore, Andrew W Topic(s) Role of Primary Care Keyword(s) Practice Organization / Ownership, and Rural Volume Annals of Family Medicine Source Annals of Family Medicine
ABFM Research Read all 2013 Do residents who train in safety net settings return for practice? Go to Do residents who train in safety net settings return for practice? 2023 Characteristics of Family Physicians Who Work in Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Settings Go to Characteristics of Family Physicians Who Work in Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Settings 2013 Working together in the best interest of patients Go to Working together in the best interest of patients 2013 Factors influencing family physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) Go to Factors influencing family physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs)
2013 Do residents who train in safety net settings return for practice? Go to Do residents who train in safety net settings return for practice?
2023 Characteristics of Family Physicians Who Work in Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Settings Go to Characteristics of Family Physicians Who Work in Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Settings
2013 Working together in the best interest of patients Go to Working together in the best interest of patients
2013 Factors influencing family physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) Go to Factors influencing family physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs)