Half of urologists report declining financial health

National Report-For many urologists, practice finances were worse in 2011 than they were a year earlier, and few have seen improved revenues, results of an exclusive national survey indicate. Urologists expressed more pessimism than many of their physician peers in other specialties.

Just over half (51%) of the urologists said their practice finances were worse than a year ago. About one-third (36%) said they were about the same and only 10% said they were better. Four percent did not respond.

These responses were collected in a national survey conducted by Advanstar Communications, parent company of Urology Times and multiple other medical publications, via the Internet in June 2011.

More than 5,000 responses were included, all from physicians who indicated they are actively practicing and that their primary field of practice is not academic/research. From these, 4,200 respondents were randomly selected for the final tabulation. Three percent (140 respondents) described themselves as urologists.

The survey asked about a wide range of practice issues, including practice models, productivity, and malpractice insurance premiums. Here is a look at the overall findings as they relate to urologists.

Demographics

The largest group was 50 to 54 years of age (19%), followed by those 65 years and older (18%) and those 60 to 64 years (16%). The group was predominantly male (94%).