Survey Finds Many Corporate-Employed Physicians Report Pressure Related to Patient Care Decisions

A new survey commissioned by the Physicians Advocacy Institute found that many physicians employed by corporate healthcare organizations report facing workplace pressures that they believe affect patient care. The survey of 1,000 doctors was published by healthcare policy consulting firm Healthsperien.

The findings come as physician employment patterns continue to change. According to research from the Physicians Advocacy Institute, more than 80% of physicians were employed by hospitals, health insurance companies, and other businesses last year, compared with 25% in 2012.

The report also found that more than six in ten physician practices are now corporately owned. Private equity firms, insurers, and other non-hospital entities collectively own more physician practices than hospitals and health systems.

Only 28% of surveyed physicians reported ever working in a physician-owned practice. The report further noted that most physicians younger than 40 have practiced only in corporately owned settings.

Survey Respondents Cite Barriers to Delivering Quality Care

Nearly half of the physicians surveyed said they felt pressure to prioritize patient volume over the quality of care they provide.

The survey also identified concerns regarding referrals and patient retention within healthcare systems. According to the findings, 63% of physicians said their employers maintain policies that make it difficult to refer patients outside their network. In addition, 59% said they experience pressure to keep patients within their health system.

Physicians identified several factors they believe limit their ability to provide quality care. The most frequently cited issues were insufficient staffing, administrative burdens, pressure to prioritize financial metrics over clinical care, and inadequate time with patients.

The report stated that as more physicians become employed by corporations, many encounter obstacles they believe conflict with their responsibility to provide care.

Burnout Reported by Large Majority of Survey Participants

The survey also examined physician burnout. Nearly 90% of respondents said they experienced some degree of burnout.

That figure is notably higher than other recent data cited in the source material. Earlier this year, the American Medical Association surveyed thousands of physicians and found that 41.9% experienced a burnout symptom in 2025. That was down from 48.2% in 2023 and remained below the highest levels recorded during the coronavirus pandemic.

Healthcare Organizations and Advocacy Groups Differ on Corporate Ownership

The findings arrive amid ongoing debate over the effects of corporate ownership in healthcare.

Physician advocacy organizations and medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the Physicians Advocacy Institute, have argued that corporate involvement in healthcare can negatively affect care, weaken patient-provider relationships, and create conflicts of interest. The Physicians Advocacy Institute has also called for the removal of restrictions on physician-owned hospitals.

Hospital industry organizations have expressed a different view. The American Hospital Association has argued that the shift from independent practices to corporate employment does not necessarily reflect excessive consolidation. Instead, the organization contends that physicians are seeking the support and infrastructure available through larger healthcare organizations.

The issue has also attracted attention from lawmakers. Last year, legislation was introduced that would remove restrictions on the construction of physician-owned hospitals. However, the measure has not advanced beyond committee referrals.

Patient Care Pressures Reported by Corporate-Employed Physicians

A new survey of more than 1,000 employed physicians highlights growing concerns about Patient Care and clinical independence in corporate-owned healthcare settings. The 2026 Physicians Advocacy Institute survey found that workplace policies and financial considerations can influence how physicians make decisions for patients.

Patient Care and Clinical Decision-Making

The survey found that 56% of physicians said the cost of care to patients has some impact on their clinical decision-making, while 47% reported that practice policies or incentives had led them to adjust treatment options to reduce costs. Additionally, 45% said policies influenced or limited decisions involving drug therapies.

Administrative demands add another layer of pressure. Recent reporting on the survey found that 78% of employed physicians identified EHR documentation as a burden and 81% reported prior authorization burdens. Such administrative requirements can contribute to delays and make it harder for physicians to devote time to Patient Care.

What It Means for Patient Care

The findings do not suggest that corporate employment automatically results in poor Patient Care. Instead, they highlight a potential conflict between organizational policies and physicians’ clinical judgment. Maintaining physician autonomy, transparent policies, adequate staffing, and patient-centered incentives could help ensure business considerations do not undermine Patient Care.