Survey provides data on practice acquisition activity.

In an effort to assess trends in the number and type of physician practices being acquired by healthcare organizations throughout the country and to gather information on related costs, HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT and Physician Services of America, Louisville, Kentucky, cosponsored the first national survey on trends in practice acquisition and integration. More than 5,300 senior financial executives in healthcare organizations and systems were surveyed. Thirty-six percent of respondents said that their healthcare organization had acquired practices in the past five years. Most practice acquisitions were in primary care; family practice physicians and groups were in high demand, with the Midwest the most active region in the country regarding family practice acquisitions. In addition, the survey gathered information about the considerations involved in acquisitions. Respondents cited strategic planning, communicating with medial staff, negotiating compensation packages, and managing productivity as reasons to pursue acquisition opportunities.