Union officials for a Massachusetts healthcare workers union vented their frustrations over delays in Steward Health Care's bankruptcy proceedings. 

Nearly 80% of physicians now work in an employed setting. Here are five ways the remaining 20% keep their practices independent: 

Nearly half of pediatricians (49%) have seen increased paperwork volume in the last year, according to Medscape's 2024 "Pediatrics Practice Issues Report," published Aug. 14. 

Glen Martin, MD, was named vice president of medical affairs for Baptist Medical Center Nassau (Fla.) and Baptist Medical Center Beaches in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Here are three physician practices that have been acquired in the last two weeks, as reported by Becker's since Aug. 1:

The physician burnout rate dropped below 50% for the first time in four years, according to a survey by the American Medical Association. 

Thirty universities were found to be the best medical schools nationwide in primary care and research, according to U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools" for 2024.

Many smaller private or physician-owned practices have found themselves at a critical junction in recent years. Independent physicians are declining in numbers as the reach of consolidation widens, economic pressure intensifies and administrative burdens persist. 

Newark (N.J.) Beth Israel Medical Center named Scott Schissel, MD, PhD, its chief medical officer, ROI-NJ reported Aug. 8.

Between increased workloads due to staffing shortages, insufficient pay and a growing lack of autonomy in employed settings,  unionization has breached a number of health systems and physician communities. 

The continued consolidation of physician groups and health systems is pushing procedures to hospital outpatient departments over ASCs, driving Medicare costs up, according to a study published July 25 in Science Direct. 

After months of negotiations, physicians and fellows at Bakersfield, Calif.-based Kern Medical Center reached an agreement with hospital management, according to an Aug. 7 news release shared with Becker's.  

Eleven specialties saw year-over-year starting salary growth in 2024, according to an Aug. 1 analysis published by healthcare staffing firm AMN Healthcare.

The last 10 years have seen a notable drop in the share of physicians who are independently employed. 

Though general physician burnout is on the decline in 2024, female physicians are still more likely to experience burnout symptoms than their male counterparts, according to an Aug. 6 report from the American Medical Association. 

Norfolk, Va.,-based Sentara Health plans to roughly double the amount of residency and fellowship positions offered through the system, according to an Aug. 5 Williamsburg Yorktown Daily report. 

As the physician shortage mounts, many leaders have found the number of physicians in leadership positions has also dipped. 

The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (Philadelphia) and Pennsylvania-based WellSpan Health have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a regional campus in York County, according to a release by the affiliation. 

Nari Heshmati, MD, has been named by Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health's Physician Group as chief physician executive.

Corporations and private equity are taking an interest in healthcare — for better or worse.