Private Equity and Radiology: Productive Partnership or Inherently Misaligned?

Abstract

Private equity acquisition of medical groups and health care organizations is becoming increasingly important in medicine and is a trend that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Some question the ethical implications of private equity acquisitions, since the clear goal of such organizations is maximizing profitability, which may or may not be in the best interests of either the patient population or the provider group. This article will describe the role of private equity in the medical marketplace, with a focus on the role of private equity in radiology and interventional radiology specifically. Additionally, this article will explore this growing trend in the radiology marketplace and its anticipated effects upon patient care and professional satisfaction for radiologists.