Compensation, social trends alter hospital-MD relations.

Changes in physician compensation and social trends are ushering in a new era in hospital-physician group relations, according to experts. Physician payment reform, the shift toward managed care, ongoing primary care physician shortages, and the changing lifestyle preferences of younger physicians are helping to redefine hospital-MD relations for years to come. Still, some health care organizations are ahead of the curve on this issue. Meanwhile, what does it take to lure a city doctor to Weiser, Idaho? Some towns will do almost anything to recruit a physician.