Doctors have learned, the hard way, that it is necessary to see more patients per day and spend less time with each one to be able to maintain an income.  Currently, the average is 6.8 minutes per patient and 30-70 patients per day to make less income than 10 years ago.  Family doctors have increased their average hours per week by 12% in the past decade.  

Procedures, other than office visits, are the only services that actually pay more than office overhead.  More doctors have had to quit talking and using their intellect and doing things to generate charges that cover some take-home pay.  Medical groups have helped some by trying to share some overhead, but there are many reasons that this is not a great solution.  Continuity of medical care is being sacrificed since patients can't see the same doctor who knows them well.

 Nurse Practicioners