Private Practice Community of Practice

Private practice infectious disease offers a clinically rewarding experience, combining the satisfaction of managing everyday community infections with the intellectual challenge of complex cases that demand cross-specialty collaboration. Since not all hospitals have equal access to subspecialty expertise, ID physicians in this setting often develop valuable proficiency in adjacent fields such as dermatology and rheumatology. 

This career path is particularly well-suited for clinicians who are passionate about direct patient care, prefer to step back from academic research, and value a more flexible work schedule.  

Private practices, while uniformly centered on clinical care, vary considerably in their scope and structure. Beyond patient care, some practices actively engage with a wide array of trainees including medical students, residents, PA/NP students, and pharmacy students. Others may participate in clinical trials, provide antimicrobial stewardship, or lead infection prevention programs. Certain practices also maintain meaningful relationships with their local public health departments, broadening their community impact. 

Compensation models and partnership tracks can differ significantly from one practice to another. Some offer a base salary complemented by a performance-based incentive structure, others operate on a productivity-driven "eat what you kill" model, and still others distribute revenue collectively among partners. Understanding these distinctions is essential when evaluating which practice environment best aligns with your professional and personal priorities. 

Practice structures vary when it comes to scheduling and rounding, with most groups dividing clinical time between inpatient and outpatient settings. The precise balance depends on each practice's staffing model and operational needs, but private practice allows for greater flexibility and autonomy in creating your own schedule. 

As a community ID physician, you quickly become a versatile clinician. Private practice physicians are consulted on everything from rashes, fevers, encephalopathy and beyond, many of which may ultimately have a non-infectious etiology. This breadth of consultation keeps the work intellectually engaging. 

Many practices work collaboratively with advanced practice providers (APPs), supervising nurse practitioners and physician assistants in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This team-based approach can be invaluable in managing the higher patient volumes that are often characteristic of community private practice, allowing for more efficient and sustainable care delivery.

• Webinars:
  • Getting the Job You Want in ID  
  • Malpractice Prevention in ID
  • Blueprint for Success: Building Sustainable and Thriving Private Practice Groups 
    
    
• Job Board (the one created by this CoP)  
• Regional private practice groups and contacts (upcoming)  
• Private Practice Mentorship program (upcoming)
• IDSA Podcasts:
  • “How to Land your dream job in ID”  
  • “Life as an ID physician working in Private Practice”

Networking with colleagues remains one of the most effective ways to learn about practice opportunities and get connected with groups in your area of interest. Unlike academic hiring timelines, most private practice groups actually begin interviewing in the early fall and extend offers by winter, so planning ahead is critical. 

Our Private Practice Community of Practice (CoP) will be offering a mentorship program that connects interested fellows with experienced community ID physicians, a valuable resource as you navigate this process. To explore opportunities in your region, be sure to consult our regional private practice groups resource for a curated list of groups operating in your areas of interest. 

When reviewing a contract, you want clarity on three fundamental questions: how you enter the position, how you advance within it, and how you exit if needed. A well-crafted contract should be straightforward and easy to understand. Complexity or ambiguity is rarely in your favor. 

Think of the contract as the first truly honest conversation with a prospective employer. Verbal promises can be generous and compelling, but the contract reveals what a group is actually offering. If what was discussed during interviews does not align with what appears on the page, that discrepancy speaks volumes. Use the contract not just as a formality, but as a meaningful lens through which to evaluate the integrity and transparency of the practice you are considering joining. 

Finally, when an offer is extended, do not hesitate to have your contract thoroughly reviewed. Engaging a contract attorney to help you understand the terms and negotiate on your behalf may be a worthwhile investment.