40+ interesting facts about doctors and independent practices to celebrate National Doctors Day

For many people, March 30 is just another day on the calendar. But medical doctors know that March 30 is National Doctors Day. Read on to learn about this holiday, and keep scrolling for infographics containing more than 40 fascinating facts about doctors and independent practices.

National Doctors Day is a day to celebrate and recognize medical doctors and their contributions to society. Congress designated the holiday on March 30, 1991, with the passing of Public Law 101- 473, and George Bush issued a proclamation in observance of the day on February 21, 1991. In 2024, National Doctors Day will be celebrated on Saturday, March 30. 

On this date in 1842, Dr. Crawford Williamson Long performed the first surgery with anesthesia, painlessly removing a tumor from a patient by first administering ether. Though there is some controversy about which doctor discovered anesthesia, Dr. Long is widely accepted today as the pioneer of surgical anesthesia through inhalation of ether.

Nearly 30 years later, in 1933, Eudora Brown Almond, a Georgia woman married to a physician, decided that medical doctors deserved a designated day to acknowledge their unique contributions to society. She selected March 30 in homage to Dr. Long. 

Per “How March 30th Came to be Doctors’ Day,” by Rod K. Calverley: “From the time of her early childhood in rural Ft. Lamar, GA, Eudora Brown had admired the gentle kindness of her family doctor. In 1920, Eudora married Dr. Charles B. Almond and, believing that healing the sick was man’s greatest profession, became convinced that medical practitioners deserved a day of recognition. She selected March 30 to honor the man she considered Georgia’s most famous son.”

You may see medical doctors sporting red carnations, the symbolic flower of National Doctors Day, on March 30. Other medical providers might also mark the day by distributing commemorative cards, as Eudora Brown Almond did in 1933, or small Doctors Day gifts such as lapel pins.

On her blog ParagonFire, Kelly Cawcutt, MD, MS, wrote, “I am not sure that we celebrate it in the way Hallmark would suggest,” Cawcutt wrote. “I think we celebrate it not for ourselves, but in deep, sometimes wordless, appreciation of our colleagues. In recognition of the commitment and care of our colleagues.” She continued, “And at the end of the day, we do not toast ourselves. We toast our colleagues and silently strive to improve. To be worthy of the thank you, the note of appreciation, the calling.”

The Intake’s Independent Healthcare Practice Ownership report revealed much about the state of private practice today. With data from 112 physicians, we learned that while most physicians are optimistic about their own practice, they have serious concerns about the industry as a whole. 

“The healthcare industry is plagued by dissatisfaction — both from providers and patients,” says Lauren Wheeler, a former family medicine physician currently working as a healthcare advocate and medical editor. Wheeler said that long working hours, physician reimbursements, and competition from private equity-backed healthcare systems coalesce to create growing discontentment. 

But this is just a glimpse of the full picture. See the Doctors Day 2024 infographics below for 40 interesting facts about doctors today. 

Each year, an increasing number of physicians leave independent practice for the financial stability health systems offer. However, Tebra's 2023 Independent Healthcare vs. Corporate and Health System-Based Providers Survey found that — unlike larger corporate or public health systems — independent practices prioritize personalized care. Independent providers spend more time with individual patients in order to truly understand their needs.

The share of physicians who work in private practices dropped from 60.1% to 46.7% from 2012 to 2022, according to the 2022 Physician Practice Benchmark Survey. Tebra research found that the majority of independent providers have concerns about their industry and feel their business model is threatened.

However, the optimism practice owners have around growth remains strong:

Tebra research found that, despite pessimistic views of the industry, a majority of practice owners expect to remain independent over the next 5 to 10 years. A total of 26% find it completely likely, 30% find it very likely, and 25% find it somewhat likely. Only 19% say it was unlikely, with 11% selecting hardly likely and 8% selecting not at all likely.

What changes do independent providers want to see to remain independent?

Tebra research revealed that independent providers are experiencing less burnout than health-system providers. 15% of independent providers Tebra surveyed said they are not at all burned out; on the other hand, 100% of health-system-based providers reported varying degrees of burnout.

However, independent providers still report challenges contributing to burnout:

Staffing shortages tie with heavy workloads and long hours as the top challenge. When it comes to staffing challenges overall, independent providers also reported:

However, physicians working in private practice are significantly more likely to rate their experience positively, with 80% rating their experience as very good or excellent compared to 46% of health systems-based providers who say the same.

As we look ahead, the future of healthcare seems to be at a crossroads, with independent practices striving to maintain their autonomy while navigating the complexities of modern healthcare. The optimism among practice owners, coupled with their commitment to personalized care, suggests a hopeful outlook despite the challenges of administrative burdens, competition, and physician burnout.

National Doctors Day serves as a reminder of the pivotal role doctors play in our lives, often under challenging circumstances. The resilience and dedication of medical professionals underscore the critical need for support and recognition from the wider community and healthcare industry.