Healthcare has never stood still. But for independent practices, the pace of change is now relentless. Whether you’ve been practicing for five years or four decades, today’s environment is almost unrecognizable from where you started.

The reality is clear: Independent practices are shrinking. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), just 42% of physicians worked in private practice in 2024, down sharply from 60% in 2012. Consolidation, fueled by private equity and large health systems, continues to accelerate. For many practice owners, acquisition pressure can feel increasingly difficult to avoid.

But independence isn’t fading away. It’s being redefined. And for practices willing to evolve, it remains not only viable, but powerful.

Patient demand still favors independence

Despite consolidation trends, patient demand tells a different story. While many patients may not actively consider ownership structure, those who do overwhelmingly prefer independent practices.

The reason is simple: Independent practices deliver what larger systems often struggle to replicate, personalized, relationship-driven care. That connection is not a nostalgic ideal; it’s a differentiator. And in a highly standardized healthcare system, it matters more than ever.

The challenge isn’t proving the value of independence, it’s sustaining it under pressure.

The workforce strain is real and growing

Perhaps the most immediate threat to independent practices is workforce scarcity. Physician shortages continue to deepen, and burnout is compounding the issue. Fewer clinicians are available, and those who remain are stretched thin.

Large health systems can rely on expansive recruiting engines. Independent practices can’t. And that makes outdated approaches, like simply asking teams to “do more with less,” not just ineffective—but untenable.

A necessary shift in how work gets done

Forward-thinking practices aren’t pushing harder, they’re working smarter. Technologies like AI-powered ambient listening and automated documentation are fundamentally reshaping clinical workflows.

These tools do more than create efficiencies. They give clinicians something they’ve been losing: Time and focus. By reducing administrative burden and screen time, clinicians can re-engage with patients in meaningful ways.

For independent practices, this isn’t just operational improvement, it’s a strategic advantage.

Independence requires intention

Independence today is not passive. It’s a deliberate choice.

For many clinicians, it represents more than a business structure. It’s a commitment to clinical autonomy, deeper patient relationships, and operational flexibility. But maintaining that independence now requires ongoing investment, adaptation and clarity of purpose.

Every decision—whether adopting new technology, refining workflows or reallocating resources—carries weight. But these are not just costs. They are investments in longevity.

Building resilience for what comes next

The practices that are thriving share a common mindset: They embrace change without compromising their identity. Independence is not a fixed state; it’s an ongoing process. It demands agility, innovation and commitment.

Those who evolve don’t just survive. They build resilience. And they retain what matters most: The ability to deliver care on their own terms in a healthcare system that’s changing fast.

Learn how TouchWorks is helping independent practices stay strong, today and into the future.