If Accountable Care Organizations are to become the next great thing in health care, somebody had better alert physicians. The problem of getting physicians to participate is two-fold.

It’s not quite robbing Peter to pay Paul, but the decision by several dozen medical supply and device manufacturers to pass the 2.3% medical device excise tax on to health care providers could have just as significant a financial impact.

When the Affordable Care Act kicks in, people will start thinking more carefully about their health care choices and going online to find reviews and ratings. Physicians who are ahead of the pack will be found first.

Absenteeism is a major problem for employers large and small and medical practices are not immune. However, since much of the problem stems from the way any business creates its culture, there are steps that can be taken to fix the problem.

As the stock market is hitting new records and real estate is on the rise, so is the physician turnover rate. As the shortage in primary care grows and demand increases, the name of the game is retention.

In today’s challenging economy, many physicians have sought out means for generating additional revenue. Rather than look outside their practice to add on ancillary services, some are able to look inward to expand upon what they already offer.

When it comes to writing prescriptions, many physicians still believe the pen is mightier than the sword or, in this case, than the electronic prescribing tool.

There’s no magic wand to making patient-centered care a reality within a medical practice, failing to make that transition can have a negative impact on the practice’s bottom line.

There’s no denying the growth of mobile health, which is the top trend that will reshape health care in 2013. However, the question remains: What will the impact be on physicians and their medical practices?

While many physicians are attempting to determine whether selling their practice makes financial and professional sense, there are others who are bucking the trend by leaving larger organizations to start their own practices.