Key thoughts on the industry as a whole, medical school acceptance rates and physician wait times caught the eyes of Becker's Hospital Review integration and physicians' issues readers this week.
Here are the five most-read stories for the week of March 20.
1. 10 thoughts on hospitals and health systems — 2017
Scott Becker, JD, publisher of Becker's Hospital Review and principal at McGuireWoods law firm, and other healthcare leaders shared 10 thoughts on hospitals and health systems so far in 2017.
2. These 10 medical schools have the lowest acceptance rates
U.S. News & World Report released a short list outlining the most selective medical schools in the nation for the 2016-2017 school year.
3. Cardiologist wait times in 15 major cities
The average wait for a new patient seeking an appointment with a cardiologist in a major metropolitan area is 21.1 days, according to a recent survey conducted by Merritt Hawkins.
4. US News: Students at top-ranked medical schools typically major in these 5 fields
U.S. News & World Report found that while more than 40 percent of medical school seniors at the top-ranked medical schools in the nation typically majored in biological sciences during undergrad, medical school officials have begun to see greater numbers of first-year applicants with non-science undergraduate majors.
5. Study: Physicians feel pressured to provide unnecessary care for VIP patients
A recent study suggests physicians often feel pressure from patients' family members and hospital leaders to provide extra, unnecessary care to high-profile patients.