Career paths of physician executives.

Survey data from a sample of physicians whose primary professional activity is administration were used to examine their previous administrative positions and career paths. Forty percent reported administrative positions in more than one type of health care organization, and time spent in administration increased with age and years in administration. Most responders with senior titles had four or more positions in a single type of organization or two positions in different types of organizations. These findings should be useful for further investigation on the physician executive role, as well as in career planning.