From PPSG to OPPS: Building a Strong Foundation for a Healthy Future

Annette M. Pham, MD, Chair, and David E. Melon, MD, Immediate Past Chair, Otolaryngology Private Practice Section (OPPS)

While private practitioners currently make up over half (54%)¹ of the Academy’s membership, a sense of isolation and underrepresentation had emerged within this community in years past. Recognizing these sentiments, the Board of Directors (BOD) saw an opportunity to unite members around their shared concerns, particularly the business aspects of medicine, and advocacy. However, a dedicated forum was necessary to foster a sense of community within the Academy. Such a platform would allow private practitioners to openly voice their concerns and feel valued for their insights on issues directly affecting them. The vision also included creating opportunities for contributions to the Academy and establishing new leadership pathways beyond traditional channels.

Formation of the Private Practice Study Group (PPSG)

In the summer of 2021, Eugene G. Brown III, MD, and William R. Blythe, MD, with guidance from EVP/CEO James C. Denneny III, MD, founded the Private Practice Study Group (PPSG). Led by Marc G. Dubin, MD, the PPSG revitalized private practitioners’ engagement in the Academy, bringing together over 40 thought leaders. This engagement resulted in two years of educational content and collaboration. The group’s enthusiasm for vibrant discussions on ENT Connect quickly grew the active membership in the group from 500 to more than 800 members.

Subcommittees and Educational Initiatives

The PPSG formed two subcommittees: The Business of Medicine Subcommittee and the Resident and Fellow Outreach Subcommittee. These groups led numerous webinars during the first two years, including:

• January 2021: “Private Practice Lessons Learned the Hard Way” covered topics, such as hospital-based relationships, reputation management, and benchmarking
• March 2022: “No Surprises Act: What Does it Mean to Me?”
• November 2022: “Maintaining a Viable Hearing Aid Dispensing Program in the OTC/TPA Era”
• January 2023: “Finding Your Happy Place: Current Practice Paradigms in Otolaryngology 2023”
• March 2023: “Employee Engagement & Retention: Understanding and Addressing Workforce Challenges”

In-Person Engagements and National Meetings

When in-person meetings resumed in 2022, the PPSG actively contributed to the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Collaborating with Annual Meeting Program Committee Coordinator Daniel C. Chelius, MD, the PPSG hosted “Business of Medicine and Practice Management Office Hours,” informal “Business Solutions for Breakfast” sessions, and several panels, including:

• Independent Practice Paradigms Thriving in the Current Healthcare Environment
• PPSG/SRF Co-Sponsored Panel: Navigating Private Practice Life
• Maintaining Effective Dispensing Programs in the OTC Hearing Aid Era

Throughout its second year, the PPSG remained engaged by conducting webinars, publishing articles, and gathering data through surveys on critical topics like ER coverage in private practice and non-compete clauses in employee contracts. The PPSG's growing engagement was evident at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, where it expanded its presence with “Coffee Talks with the PPSG,” participated in the ENT Career Fair, and hosted sessions specifically tailored to residents and students interested in private practice.

Transition to the Otolaryngology Private Practice Section (OPPS)

Annette M. Pham, MDRecognizing the PPSG’s impact, in 2023 the BOD voted to transition the study group into a full-fledged section within the Academy—now officially the Otolaryngology Private Practice Section (OPPS). The OPPS mission statement is to support physicians navigating the complexities of private practice, providing a collaborative platform for specialists, generalists, private practitioners, and academicians, while advocating for the unique needs of private practice otolaryngologists.

Under the leadership of immediate past Chair David E. Melon, MD, and Chair Annette M. Pham, MD, the OPPS has continued to foster inclusion and collaboration. Dr. Pham represented the OPPS as a panelist at the SUO | AADO | OPDO combined national meeting in 2023, discussing strategies for early exposure to private practice models and business issues for physicians-in-training.

Collaborations and Key Initiatives

Understanding the importance of strong administrative relationships, Dr. Melon recently collaborated with the national organization of business managers, Administrator Support Community for ENT (ASCENT), contributing to their annual benchmarking survey.

David E. Melon, MDDr. Melon, along with Dr. Denneny, gave the opening remarks at the inaugural OTO FORUM meeting in April 2024 in Alexandria, Virginia. The event, hosted by the OPPS, offered an intimate platform for leadership discussions, practice management strategies, and the exploration of contemporary challenges and opportunities in private practice. Panels and roundtable discussions highlighted key pillars in the business of medicine: benchmarking, networking, innovation, and healthcare trends.

The OPPS held its second official General Assembly at the 2024 Academy meeting in Miami Beach, Florida, featuring panels on topics like the future of private practice, marketing, building a new practice, and incorporating Advanced Practice Providers into practice.  Notable sessions included:

• Show Me the Money: Strategies to Improve the Bottom Line
• ENT APP Business Model and Walk-In Urgent Care: Access, Growth, and Profitability

Looking Ahead

The OPPS remains committed to building a robust community, collaborating with Academy leadership and other sections to advance the specialty. By sharing successes and lessons learned, the OPPS aims to enhance the visibility and significance of the private practice model. Dr. Pham is set to deliver the keynote address on private practice at the Florida Combined Otolaryngology Meeting (FCOM) in November 2024.

Additionally, the second annual OTO FORUM will be held April 25 – 26, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia, focusing on hot topics in the business of medicine and advocacy to ensure the sustainability of private practice for future otolaryngologists. Stay tuned for information about when and how to register.

We will see you at the OTO FORUM in April 2025!

Reference

1. The 2022 Otolaryngology Workforce Report. Alexandria, Virginia: American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2023. https://www.entnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2022-Otolaryngology-Workforce.pdf