Why independent physicians need a community support network now more than ever

In 2023, the US Surgeon General issued a statement declaring an “epidemic of loneliness.” Isolation and social disconnection can negatively impact physical and mental health. For doctors, navigating loneliness can be particularly challenging. A 2017 Mayo Clinic Proceedings report found that nearly 40% of physicians were reluctant to seek professional mental health care for fear of repercussions to their medical licenses. Hesitation around seeking professional help can lead doctors to feel even more isolated, putting their livelihood before their own well-being. In addition to burnout, this has contributed to increased rates of suicide among doctors.

Social connection is a powerful tool against loneliness. At Meroka, we’re supporting independent physicians by providing them access to a network of like-minded doctors with whom they can connect and learn from, both personally and professionally.

What consolidation means for doctors

Consolidated health systems lure new doctors with high salaries, student loan repayment programs, and the promise of a steady flow of new patients. In turn, doctors employed within larger systems have less autonomy over how they work and have little to no visibility into how practice-wide decisions are made.

After Mecklenburg Medical Group, one of the largest physician practices in Charlotte, North Carolina, received contracts from its parent company, Atrium Health, stipulating cuts to nursing staff, transfers of triage nurses, and replacing receptionists with an off-site call center, the network filed a lawsuit to break off from Atrium. 

In 2022, more than 1,200 resident physicians and interns at Montefiore Medical Center in New York voted to unionize, asking for higher wages, better working conditions, longer breaks, and more. A Bloomberg News report found that dermatologists employed by private equity firms were “pushed to see as many as twice the number of patients a day, which made them feel rushed and unable to provide the same quality of care,” despite their contracts stating that they’ll never have to compromise their medical judgment.

The pressure to perform, and perform in a specific way, has also left doctors with less time to collaborate, provide or receive mentorship, and build relationships with patients.

“We now spend more time worrying about how many patients we need to see in designated time slots, checking boxes, running behind, doing never-ending non-physician required tasks than we do on patient outcomes, discussing interesting cases, learning from one another, sharing, teaching, and inspiring each other to hone our skills in the art and practice of medicine,” wrote Christina Dewey, M.D., in an op-ed about physician burnout for KevinMD. 

What independent doctors are looking for

Being a fully independent physician, especially in the face of consolidation, is hard.

In an op-ed, VP of Membership and International Programs at the American College of Physicians, Philip A. Masters, M.D., wrote about the roots of isolation among doctors and why connection matters: “I firmly believe that nurturing our doctor-to-doctor relationships is key … decreasing the isolation so many of us experience. Increasing our connections with like-minded colleagues facing similar professional and life challenges can help fend off feelings of loneliness by knowing that we aren’t alone and help us renew our purpose as physicians.”

Gregory A. Hood, M.D., echoed a similar sentiment in MedScape: “When one doesn't encounter colleagues, whether in a segmented large medical setting or an isolated rural practice; doesn't have communal professional outlets; and doesn't collaborate on the stressors with a spouse or is proactively isolated from one's spouse by documentation requirements, being a physician in today's world begins to feel particularly lonely.”

A 2021 American Medical Association (AMA) report on high-performing physician-owned private practices found that independent doctors are interested in building community with other physician-owners. A doctor in the Midwest expressed an interest in being connected with similar practices in other regions, saying “I’d love it if [the AMA] said, ‘Hey, we can hook you up with some group in Milwaukee or Chicago … We can get you talking back and forth so that … if there’s issues you’re having, you can get some advice from other independent groups out there.”

While physician-owned practices value decision-making authority, that doesn’t mean they’re looking to operate in isolation. Independent doctors are looking to learn from and alongside each other as a means of asserting their autonomy in the shadow of consolidation.

The Meroka difference

At Meroka, we believe that the future of medicine is independent. To build that future, we’re creating tools and resources that allow physicians to choose independence, rather than be squeezed into corporate entities.

Independence doesn’t mean going at it alone, though. Meroka is building a community of independent practices that recognizes clinicians as business partners and actively invests in their future by prioritizing transparency, education, and autonomy. It’s our goal to create a network that allows you to connect with, learn from, and share support with other independent clinicians.

Investing in our community takes many different forms and will evolve based on feedback from clinician-owners, aiming to support clinicians professionally and personally:

Transparency: We give all physician-owners visibility into how practices across Meroka’s network are performing through the following:

• Monthly reporting calls
• In-person retreats
• Online message board for physician-owners
• Opportunities to share learnings from across our network that may benefit your practice

Education: Investing in independence as a long-term solution also means nurturing the growth of independent doctors. That’s why we’re offering:

• Retirement planning support
• Financial literacy trainings
• People development workshops
• Continuing education budget for conferences and more

Autonomy: One of the great advantages of independent practice is that you’re not beholden to the procedures that corporate entities or insurance companies prioritize. With this, we’re setting aside money for each practice to conduct procedures they might otherwise not be able to do, like:

• Unprofitable procedures
• Seeing uninsured or low-income patients

You didn’t go through medical school to become a cog in the machine. By prioritizing independent practices, Meroka treats doctors as stakeholders and respects their decision-making authority. Because as physician-owners know, managing a practice isn’t only about investing in the well-being of patients — it’s also about ensuring the future of healthcare.