The Advantages of a Solo Medical Practice Vs. a Group Practice

Fewer than 20 percent of medical graduates in the United States form solo medical practices, according to the American College of Physicians, a trade group. Solo medical practices have several distinct advantages over group practices, which feature multiple primary and specialty doctors under one roof.

Decision-making

• A doctor working in a solo medical practice gets to make all the decisions about the practice himself, according to the American College of Physicians. Medscape, an online physician portal, notes that solo medical practitioners have no board of directors or senior leadership to vet office policies or financial decisions --- they are the boss.

Patient Connection

• Dr. Ralph Teall, writing in the journal "California Medicine," notes that a doctor in a solo medical practice gets to form stronger relationships with his patients. Because there are no other doctors to take night calls, see patients when they come in for an appointment or help in an emergency, solo practitioners get to better connect with patients and follow through on their care.

Staffing

• A solo medical practice usually features a small office staff, often composed of family members, according to the American College of Physicians. A physician writing for Medscape notes that solo medical practitioners are completely in control of staff size, composition and scheduling --- so they work with whomever they want.

Finances

• As the owner of a solo medical practice, you alone reap the financial rewards from a successful practice. However, as the American College of Physicians notes, solo medical practices also tend to suffer more from financial difficulties when the solo practitioner is sick, on vacation or not getting enough referrals; solo practices also tend to have higher overhead costs than group practices.