Why More Doctors Are Saying No to Hospital Employment

Why More Doctors Are Saying No to Hospital Employment

The tide is turning. After decades of consolidation, productivity quotas, and system-driven care, physicians across the country are rethinking what it means to be “employed” in medicine. And more than ever, they’re walking away.

The numbers don’t lie: private practice is growing again especially among physicians who want autonomy, balance, and purpose in their work. So why are so many doctors saying no to hospital employment?

What Hospital Employment Really Offers

For years, it was pitched as the safe route:

• Steady income

• Predictable hours

• Relief from business responsibilities

But in practice, many doctors find:

• Limited control over patient care and clinical decisions

• Productivity-based pay tied to RVUs and visit volume

• Administrative overload and compliance demands

• Moral injury when values clash with protocols

It’s not security—it’s stagnation in disguise.

What Independent Physicians Are Choosing Instead

Physicians moving into private practice, Direct Primary Care (DPC), concierge, or hybrid models are choosing:

• Time freedom

• Control over patient volume and visit length

• The ability to practice without insurance interference

• Stronger relationships and better outcomes

“I didn’t leave hospital employment to take a risk—I left to take my career back.”— Independent Family Physician

The Movement Is Growing

From solo practitioners to group-owned clinics, physicians are proving you can:

• Be financially successful

• Care for patients the way you were trained

• Protect your mental and physical health

• And still love being a doctor

Hospital employment isn’t your only option—and for many, it’s no longer the best one.

Is It Time to Say No and Say Yes to Yourself?

If your employed position is costing you time, energy, and joy, it may be time to opt out and build something better.

📅 Book a strategy session with John Hayes Jr., MD

Let’s explore how independent practice can give you back control, clarity, and a career on your terms.