Autonomy is a critical element of a physician's career, and according to healthcare leaders, market factors such as consolidation and private equity have limited the longevity of independent physicians.

The average annual salary for nurse practitioners increased by 3% between 2023 and 2024, while inflation is currently down by 19.5%.

More physicians are regretting choosing to pursue medicine, according to a 2023 survey from the Physicians Foundation, and here are five reasons why physicians are turning away from the practice. 

  A Whitefish, Mont., physician pleaded guilty to participating in a $39 million Medicare fraud scheme. 

A Warner Robins, Ga., physician has been charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws, 13 WMAZ reported June 25. 

Since 2020, the U.S. has seen 2,213 healthcare industry breaches, impacting 152.1 million individuals, according to a new analysis from data company Incogni. 

The Physicians Advocacy Institute sent a letter to federal officials regarding the negative effects of consolidation on healthcare. Becker's connected with Kelly Kenney, CEO of the advocacy group, to find out more.

Surgeons are the second highest-paid occupation in the U.S., according to data from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, however, those earnings vary greatly depending on the location of the practice.

As high-acuity procedures continue to migrate to the outpatient setting, cardiology is one of ASCs' biggest opportunities for growth.

Here are nine updates to know on the state of the U.S. and physician workforces in 2024: 

The majority of physicians have built a net worth of more than $1 million for their families, according to Medscape's 2024 "Physician Wealth & Debt Report,", published June 12. 

Here are five of Optum's most important moves and headlines that Becker's has reported on in 2024:

Residents in Montana are the most likely to be laid off, according to a study from business company Upflip based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Here are five physician fraud lawsuits Becker's has reported on since June 10:

A physician in Kennebunk, Maine, has been convicted of illegally distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl.

Here are seven key statistics on physician pay and practice costs:

Half of physicians have had thoughts about leaving medicine due to the growing physician shortage, according to Doximity's 2023 Physician Compensation Report.

Colon and rectal surgery is one of the lowest-paid ASC specialties, according to Doximity's  "Physician Compensation Report 2024", published May 23. 

Wisconsin was recently named the best state for physicians to practice in 2024 by Medscape, which considered factors including malpractice insurance premiums, compensation, cost of living, physician density, physician burnout rates and the percentage of insured residents. 

A physician assistant was charged with a felony for allegedly using COVID-19 pandemic funding for his personal expenses.