Large medical group-practice organizations and employed physicians: a relationship in transition

Out of the revolution in medical practice is being forged a new type of group-practice organization--larger and more complex, more tightly administered, and more strategically aware than its antecedents. A typology is offered to contribute to an understanding of the changing physician/group-practice relationship. Drawing upon historical and contemporary literature, initial and following-up field observations, and extensive interviews, large medical group-practice organizations are analyzed according to basic orientation toward the health care market, and to a belief in how medical practice should be organized. The revolution in practice will be stamped on future health care arrangements, and will be transmitted into the professional culture of medicine.