In the natural order of things, a town with a static population will support a predictable number of doctors of each specialty. These ratios are somewhat variable, and can be obtained from reading Medical Economics. There is a tradition in each practice as to who is in charge, who defers to whom, how opportunity and incentive are apportioned. This is a matter of custom, and you will be expected to fit in. Your job during your visit, and prefereably during a week of trial practice, is to find out what are the rules to see whether you would be happy in that setting. Typically doctors are staggered by age at intervals of a few years so that a new doctor is hired a few years before an established doctor retires. The idea is to have a smooth transition...
It's relatively simple to point out the gross elements of abuse (absence of due-process peer review, restrictive geographic covenant, required buy-in, delayed partnership, fixed salary without incentive, etc.). This web site, and any other source of advice, cannot discern the important smaller items which may make a considerable difference in your level of satisfaction.
Now, look at the matter from their viewpoint. They need you. If they don't hire a doctor to step in for the retiring doctor, then they will all have to take more night call, work harder during the day, etc. They risk having their patients depart for treatment by another group down the hall. On the other hand, they can try to hire someone else, and you don't know where you stand in the pecking order of candidates. This is professional poker. You have to start your job search early and work at it, because there is no longer a convenient Matching Program to guarantee you a job. If you have a family or debt, you have to know where you will work or join the employer of last resort...the government.
