Physician practice ownership drops below 50%

Editor's Note

For the first time, less than half of physicians have an ownership stake in their practices, according to a study by the American Medical Association.

Surgical sub-specialties have the highest share of physician owners (59.3%), followed by radiology (56.3%). Emergency medicine has the lowest share of owners (27.9%) and the highest share of independent contractors (24.8%). Pediatrics has the highest share of employed physicians (58.3%).

Younger physicians are less likely to have an ownership stake in their practices than older physicians. In 2016, ownership ranged from 27.9% for those under the age of 40 years to 54.9% for those aged 55 and older.