Private equity firms have been investing in certain medical specialty groups for years, and have recently turned their interests to gastroenterology practices. Their aim is to streamline administration and support services for greater efficiency. The private equity (PE) model now provides a third practice option for gastroenterology (GI) physicians who have traditionally worked in either acute care hospitals or private practices.

It is a wonderful time to be a gastroenterologist, as nationwide demand has continued peaking over the past year. In fact, as reported in the Merritt Hawkins 2022 Review of Physician and Advance Practitioner Incentives, Gastroenterology ranked first in “absolute demand” for provider specialties in patient care and saw a $33,000 increase in average salary year over year from 2021.

Having limited options can make job searches difficult, but sometimes having a wealth of opportunities in your field can be just as challenging. Just ask George Akra, director of recruiting for internal medicine subspecialties at AMN Healthcare, who notes that many gastroenterologists in the job market are struggling to make the decision about where to practice.