Why More Doctors Are Leaving Traditional Practice for Concierge Medicine

If you’re a physician who feels like the system is working against you, you’re not alone.

Many primary care doctors are frustrated by overwhelming workloads, unpredictable schedules, and limited time with patients. Whether it’s administrative overload or the pressure to rush through 25 appointments a day, the reality is exhausting. It often looks nothing like what you envisioned when you entered medicine.

In this article, you’ll learn the most common reasons physicians are making the shift to practicing concierge medicine instead of continuing in traditional models of care. These aren’t hypothetical scenarios.

They’re based on real conversations with doctors who made the change and found renewed energy, better balance, and more profound relationships with their patients as a result.

At PartnerMD, we have spent more than two decades refining a model of care that gives physicians the time, space, and support to practice with purpose.

What began with one doctor in Richmond has grown to more than 30 physicians across six locations, all united by a shared belief in personal, proactive care. The perspectives in this article reflect what we've learned from working closely with physicians who chose a different path.

🎥 Hear From Doctors Who Made the Switch

Curious what it really feels like to leave traditional medicine behind?

In this video, several PartnerMD physicians share what wasn’t working, what changed, and how their careers feel today.

Here are the top five reasons physicians are making the switch to concierge medicine.

1. You want to practice medicine the way you always imagined.

Many physicians begin their careers driven by a desire to form real relationships and deliver personalized care. In traditional primary medicine, that vision can get lost.

Overbooked schedules, rushed visits, and 1,000+ patient panels leave little time for real connection.

“I felt like I was on a treadmill in a traditional practice.”
— Dr. Allen Joslyn, PartnerMD Richmond

We’ve heard from physicians who worry they’re missing something important simply because they’re moving too fast. The fear of overlooking a diagnosis or not following up thoroughly weighs heavily on their minds.

Concierge medicine allows doctors to slow down and provide the kind of care they envisioned in medical school. With smaller panels and 30 to 60 minute appointments, you can listen more carefully, treat more completely, and follow through with confidence.

“I like to give patients the time to explain their problems... That’s what this setting here at PartnerMD allows me to do. I can spend the time with my patients and have a more comfortable and relaxed visit.”
— Dr. Eric Carr, PartnerMD Owings Mills

2. You're burned out by a system that doesn’t work.

Physician burnout remains alarmingly high. In 2025, nearly 47% of physicians reported at least one symptom of burnout, according to Medscape.

Among U.S. primary care physicians experiencing burnout, more than one-third say they plan to stop seeing patients entirely within the next one to three years, according to a Commonwealth Fund report. 

The causes are clear. High patient volume, excessive administrative tasks, and the sense that you’re constantly behind have taken a toll.

Concierge care changes the daily rhythm. Fewer patients, more time per visit, and team-based support give physicians room to breathe. It's not about doing less work. It's about doing more of the work that matters. Many physicians find that this structure helps restore energy, purpose, and even joy to their careers.

“Physician burnout is a very common problem in all specialties, but certainly in primary care medicine. Physicians sort of feel trapped.”
— Dr. Jim Mumper, PartnerMD  Richmond

3. You're tired of running a business on top of practicing medicine.

Physicians in private practice wear two hats: clinician and business owner. In addition to seeing patients, they manage staff, negotiate leases, handle payroll, purchase insurance, train new hires, and keep up with compliance and regulations.

It’s a lot, and it takes time away from what you trained to do.

Concierge medicine offers an alternative. At PartnerMD, physicians are supported by a full-time business and operations team. That includes billing, IT, marketing, patient communication, and HR. You focus on delivering excellent care. We handle the rest.

Many physicians find that this separation helps reduce stress and allows them to fully engage with their patients again.

“I was in a job where I had worked for almost 20 years, and I was getting very frustrated with management just piling on more and more work. You never felt like you could do what needed to be done for the patients.”
— Dr. Jana Morse, PartnerMD Greenville

4. You want a more reasonable pace.

In traditional practices, days are often dictated by insurance coding, volume metrics, and back-to-back 10-minute visits. You have little control over how your day unfolds or how much time you can spend with a patient.

In a concierge model, your schedule is structured for responsiveness. Most physicians see 6 to 10 patients per day, with same-day appointment slots built into the schedule. At PartnerMD, we also protect time for administrative work and rotate after-hours responsibilities across the physician team, so no one carries that burden alone.

This structure supports a more sustainable pace. It lets you respond to patient needs thoughtfully without constantly feeling rushed. It also gives you room to think, follow through, and go home on time.

“I’ve got a lot of structure where I can give so much more of myself to an individual... and still have my ability to spend time with my family and in the outdoors.”
— Dr. Eric Haacke-Golden, PartnerMD Short Pump

Bonus Insight: The Market Is Growing, and So Is the Opportunity

Concierge medicine is no longer a niche trend. The market is growing steadily in the U.S. and around the world.

According to multiple industry forecasts, including GMI Insights and Persistence Market Research, the U.S. concierge medicine market is projected to grow to between $15.1 billion and $16.1 billion by 2032, with compound annual growth rates ranging from 9.3% to 10.3%.

That growth reflects increasing demand from patients and increasing interest from physicians who are looking for a better way to practice.

“I encourage physicians who are feeling unhappy in their current situation to know that there is another option for them.”
— Dr. Jim Mumper, PartnerMD, Richmond

Is It Time to Make a Change?

The traditional model isn’t broken because doctors don’t care. It’s broken because the system rewards speed and volume over connection and quality.

If you're feeling disillusioned, overworked, or frustrated, you’re not alone. And you're not stuck.

At PartnerMD, we’re always looking for physicians who want to deliver exceptional care and find renewed meaning in their work. If you're starting to imagine what a better way could look like, we’re ready to have that conversation.

Ready to Learn More?

Download our free guide to becoming a concierge doctor and explore what this model could mean for your career. You’ll get a closer look at how it works, what to expect day to day, and how physicians are building more sustainable, patient-focused practices with PartnerMD.