Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology

Objective The accelerated involvement of private equity (PE) in ophthalmology has many potential implications for the future of the field. The aim of this study was to evaluate trainee perspectives on PE's impact on ophthalmology. Methods An electronic survey was sent to trainees via...

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Main Authors: David S. Portney, Jenna Goldstein, Sean T. Berkowitz, Taylor S. Novice, Shriji Patel, Janice Law, Bradford Tannen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Academic Ophthalmology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0043-1761289
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author David S. Portney
Jenna Goldstein
Sean T. Berkowitz
Taylor S. Novice
Shriji Patel
Janice Law
Bradford Tannen
author_facet David S. Portney
Jenna Goldstein
Sean T. Berkowitz
Taylor S. Novice
Shriji Patel
Janice Law
Bradford Tannen
author_sort David S. Portney
collection DOAJ
description Objective The accelerated involvement of private equity (PE) in ophthalmology has many potential implications for the future of the field. The aim of this study was to evaluate trainee perspectives on PE's impact on ophthalmology. Methods An electronic survey was sent to trainees via an online ophthalmology research newsletter. The survey assessed for career goals and perspectives on the involvement of PE and its impact across a variety of attributes. Results A total of 41 United States-based respondents responded to the survey, 68% were medical students and 32% were residents or fellows. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported they would not consider working for a PE-owned practice. There was a negative perceived impact of PE for physician autonomy, long-term physician income, career advancement, and quality of care. There was a positive perceived impact for the number of physician extenders, more referral sources, financial support, bargaining with insurance companies, starting physician salary, and administrative burden. All respondents agreed (76% strongly agree, 24% somewhat agree) that education about practice options and ownership structures is important to include in residency program education, with preferred modalities of small group discussions and on-site learning. Conclusions Trainees broadly perceive PE to negatively impact the practice of ophthalmology. While there were attributes perceived to be positively impacted by PE, these were not felt to be as important as those which may be negatively affected. New modalities for education about practice ownership options are necessary, and small group discussions and on-site learning may be of the highest yield for trainees.
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spelling doaj.art-4802b40f24da4264a1ba39404b9b4d112023-02-10T00:44:27ZengThieme Medical Publishers, Inc.Journal of Academic Ophthalmology2475-47572023-01-011501e56e6110.1055/s-0043-1761289Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on OphthalmologyDavid S. Portney0Jenna Goldstein1Sean T. Berkowitz2Taylor S. Novice3Shriji Patel4Janice Law5Bradford Tannen6University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MichiganDepartment of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TennesseeDepartment of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MichiganDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann ArborDepartment of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MichiganDepartment of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MichiganDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann ArborObjective The accelerated involvement of private equity (PE) in ophthalmology has many potential implications for the future of the field. The aim of this study was to evaluate trainee perspectives on PE's impact on ophthalmology. Methods An electronic survey was sent to trainees via an online ophthalmology research newsletter. The survey assessed for career goals and perspectives on the involvement of PE and its impact across a variety of attributes. Results A total of 41 United States-based respondents responded to the survey, 68% were medical students and 32% were residents or fellows. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported they would not consider working for a PE-owned practice. There was a negative perceived impact of PE for physician autonomy, long-term physician income, career advancement, and quality of care. There was a positive perceived impact for the number of physician extenders, more referral sources, financial support, bargaining with insurance companies, starting physician salary, and administrative burden. All respondents agreed (76% strongly agree, 24% somewhat agree) that education about practice options and ownership structures is important to include in residency program education, with preferred modalities of small group discussions and on-site learning. Conclusions Trainees broadly perceive PE to negatively impact the practice of ophthalmology. While there were attributes perceived to be positively impacted by PE, these were not felt to be as important as those which may be negatively affected. New modalities for education about practice ownership options are necessary, and small group discussions and on-site learning may be of the highest yield for trainees.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0043-1761289private equityresidency program educationmedical studentspractice management
spellingShingle David S. Portney
Jenna Goldstein
Sean T. Berkowitz
Taylor S. Novice
Shriji Patel
Janice Law
Bradford Tannen
Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology
Journal of Academic Ophthalmology
private equity
residency program education
medical students
practice management
title Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology
title_full Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology
title_fullStr Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology
title_full_unstemmed Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology
title_short Trainee Perspectives of Private Equity's Impact on Ophthalmology
title_sort trainee perspectives of private equity s impact on ophthalmology
topic private equity
residency program education
medical students
practice management
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0043-1761289
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