Many physicians are reconsidering their career choices.  As high as 20% of physicians are dissatisfied with their current practices and are contemplating leaving clinical practice or making significant career changes.

Physicians who are considering a career transition are best served by taking a personal career inventory.  This will force physicians to assess their current situation.

 Physicians should consider:

 1.    The Level of Support from Their Spouse/Significant Other
Career experts agree that physicians who have the support of their spouse/significant other are much more likely to make a successful career transition.  This discussion may be complex in that spouses may rightly be concerned about finances and how the family will replace his/her income from practicing medicine.

Sophisticated spouses who know all too well the reality of declining income and longer hours are now asking a different question:  "How much money is the family losing by having the physician not leaving an unsatisfying practice"?

These families now realize that the examples of physicians who have left clinical practice and have succeeded in business is growing exponentially.

Drew Senyei, MD left clinical medicine, obtained patents, and started Enterprise Partners Venture Capital which has helped build 155 companies and has over $750 million in capital under management.

Dr. Michael J. McLauglin, MD was a plastic surgeon and attended Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians, a course designed to help physicians with the transition process.  Dr. McLaughlin started and is chief scientific officer of Peleton Advantage, a highly successful medical communications company.

Physicians who have made the transition do so in large part for their families and lifestyle.  In their new positions they can spend more time with their spouse and children and can schedule vacations, trips and family time without the fear of constant interruption.  They no longer have to constantly leave the dinner table disappointing their families.

Lesson:
Making sure your significant other supports your decision will substantially increase the chances of a smooth, successful career transition.

2.    Desire to Relocate?
The physician and his family will have to decide how much flexibility they have with regard to possible relocation.  What, if any geographic limitations does the family have?  Are there children to consider?  Their ages, and current schooling situation may impact the degree of geographic flexibility of the family.  Several geographic limitations may limit the career opportunities of the physician.

Lesson:
Decide how much geographic flexibility you have and if you are willing to relocate to change to a non-clinical or other position.

3.    Financial Situation
The physician considering a career transition should take a long hard look at the family financial situation.  Questions that need to be answered are:
    A.  What is your current financial situation?
    B.  How long can you go without income if you need to?
    C.  How much money will you need to make you happy in a new position?
    D.  Is your spouse willing and able to help during this transition period?

Lesson
Take a long, hard realistic look at your finances and decide how much you need to earn to be happy.

4.    What are your strengths, skills and abilities?
Physicians need to critically and honestly rate themselves (1-10 with 10 being the highest) 

              Ability to Deal with Complex Situations   ____ 
              Ability to Motivate people                    ____ 
              Ability to Multi-Task                           ____
              Ability to Prioritize                              ____ 
              Ability to Work Independently               ____ 
              Analytical Abilities                              ____ 
              Attention to Detail                             ____ 
              Calm under Fire                                  ____       
              Commitment to Job                             ____       
              Communication Skills                           ____       
              Computer Literacy                              ____       
              Computer Skills                                  ____       
              Deal Successfully with Adversity           ____     
              Deal Well with Stress/Pressure              ____        
              Dependable                                       ____       
              Driven by Excellence                           ____       
              Driven Dedicated                                ____      
              Excellent Interpersonal Skills                 ____       
              Excellent Judgment                             ____       
              Excellent Presentation Skills                 ____       
              Excellent Project Management Skills       ____       
              Excellent Written Skills                        ____     
              Flexibility                                          ____     
              Good Active Listener                           ____    
              Handle Fast Paced Work Environment     ____ 
              Hard Worker                                      ____      
              High Level of Integrity and Honesty       ____    
              Intelligence                                       ____      
              Leadership Skills                                 ____       
              Love New Challenges                          ____      
              Manage Functional Groups                   ____        
              Management Experience                      ____        
              Meet or Exceed Time Deadlines             ____       
              Negotiation Skills                                ____     
              Passion for Learning                            ____      
              Pragmatic                                         ____      
              Provide Leadership                              ____ 
              Provide Solutions                                ____ 
              Public Speaking                                  ____    
              Quick Study                                      ____   
              Record of Success                              ____    
              Teacher                                            ____     
              Team Player                                       ____    
              Tenacity and Perseverance                   ____      
              Work in Matrixed Environment                ____  
              Works Well as Part of a Team                ____   
              Works Well in Time Sensitive Environment ____  
 

Lesson
Physicians need to review their scores looking for patterns, strengths and weaknesses.  (ex.) How are your presentations, communication skills?  If they are strong this will be an asset.  If they are not you may have to work to improve these skills to succeed in business or in non-clinical positions

5.    Additional Training
Physicians should consider whether they want/need additional training, certifications/degrees.

 This decision will include answering the following questions:
    A.    Would you consider pursuing additional education/training/degrees?
    B.    How many years are you willing to devote to obtaining these additional education, training, or degrees?
    C.    What additional training are you considering or would you consider?
    D.    Why are you considering this additional training education?
    E.    What does your spouse/significant other think about this additional training?

Lesson
The decision about additional training is a significant one.  Obtaining this training can be expensive and time consuming.

6.    What is your passion?
Physicians in career transition will often be advised to follow a passion.  When one moves towards a passion instead of running away from a bad situation they are much more likely to succeed and be happy with their choice.

Physicians should consider 5 careers/jobs that they would enjoy and feel passionate about.  This will help narrow the many possibilities available to physicians.

Lesson
Move toward a passion that you will enjoy.

7.    What makes you unique?
Physicians in career transition will have to decide and be able to explain what makes them unique.  What are you really good at?  What transferable skills to you bring to a new position/career?

Lesson
Physicians need to be able to confidently articulate and answer one question, "Why should we hire you"?

Conclusion
Physicians who are considering a career transition should take a critical look at their current situation.  They should be prepared to take a personal career inventory.

Physicians who start their transition with an honest look at their current situation, abilities, talents and passions will be on the way to a successful career transition.

About the Author
Steven Babitsky, Esq. is the President of SEAK, Inc., www.seak.com.  He is the seminar leader for the SEAK Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians Conference. Steven himself made a successful career transition at age 44 and is a recovering attorney.