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The days of a doctor running his or her private practice are becoming a memory, as more and more of these medical professionals have embraced the benefits of strength in numbers, gathering under an umbrella called a physician group that ranges from primary care to multiple specialties. It’s a health-care organization that is generally governed by an administrative team, which runs the business aspect of healing. Geurt Peet is the chief executive officer and founding officer of Millennium Physician Group, which is based in Port Charlotte and has other locations in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. Peet, who began leading the organization in 2008, sheds some light on the hot trend of physician groups. 

How are physician groups beneficial?

It’s a more effective, more efficient, cheaper way to see patients. It also allows them to provide services that they can’t as solo practitioners. In a traditional practice, a doctor is the CEO, negotiator, personnel manager, maintenance guy and they’ve got to be doctor all at the same time. This structure, group practice, allows them to see patients and we manage the business.

Do patients benefit from seeing a doctor who is part of a physician group?

One of the key things is the electronic record. We maintain one patient record no matter where the patient is seen. That really brings a lot of efficiency and reduces the need for duplication of testing.

What is an example of how efficiency is improved?

If a patient needs to be admitted, the hospital physician actually has the patient’s record in his hand. So, the doctor in the hospital, even though he has never seen the patient, knows what’s going on with them. [The doctor] knows their allergies, medication, what they’ve been seen for, what diseases or illnesses they have. And, therefore, they can provide a better level of service and better care in the in-patient setting.

Why do you think physician groups are growing in popularity?