A practice plan in a municipal teaching hospital: a model for the funding of clinical faculty

Academic-practice plans have become increasingly important as a source of financial support for the faculty of academic centers. We describe the planning, implementation, and development of one such plan in a municipal hospital, a major affiliate of a medical school. The incorporated practice plan is nonprofit and is owned and governed by physicians. Its success during the eight years of its existence has resulted in growth of the faculty, the development of innovative ambulatory-care programs, and increased financial stability of the hospital. Although such problems as payment for teaching costs and academic advancement for primary-care physicians remain, it is clear that academic-practice plans can support the clinical, teaching, and research goals of academic physicians.