Putting freelancing in the medical profession to the test

Abstract

Hallmarks of freelancing in the medical profession include special professional qualifications or expertise. Identification with the activity is also reflected in aphysician's responsibility for patients that goes beyond a mere business relationship. At the same time, this responsibility requires that aphysician can act independently of economic aspects. Privileges of self-employed are, in addition to a fee schedule, the possibility to establish one's own pension fund and to exercise self-governance in medical associations. An important aspect of being self-employed is self-governance. The goal of the independence of those who are self-employed is to avoid the social and irresolvable conflict of values in state- or market-based systems. Physicians work in a field of tension between an empathetic, time-taking medical activity and a fast "economically sensible, expedient and necessary" medicine. Enduring this dilemma is the original task of the liberal profession.