Family Doctors Working For Hospitals

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Don't be surprised if in the coming years your family doctor, pediatrician, or general internist adds the name of a local hospital to his or her shingle.

Hospitals are actively hiring doctors to work for them.

Why? Well, over the years, hospitals have relied on surgeons and other sub-specialists who perform procedures to use their facilities. As a result, these patients would recover and be treated at the hospital. And this was an excellent source of income.

Today, many surgeons and sub-specialists bypass hospitals and do procedures in their own operating rooms, attached to their offices. So, the model is changing with the goal always the same. Provide the best care in the best setting and try to help the patients as much as possible.