Non-Clinical Opportunities for Physicians
Posted on May 17, 2008
Filed Under Medical (MD, DO)
by Joseph Kim, MD
Reprinted with Permission
If you’re a physician and you’re considering a non-clinical career, you may be wondering about all the opportunities out there. I get asked about this all the time. Over the years, I’ve had a chance to meet different physicians working in various companies and industries; here are my observations.
First, ask yourself what you enjoy. After all, if you don’t enjoy clinical medicine, you don’t want to end up doing something else you’re not going to enjoy. Then, start networking like crazy. Leverage all the online social networking sites (like LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo, etc.) and get reconnected with old colleagues, classmates, and friends. Find out what people are doing. They may help you get connected to some key people. You may find some of the best opportunities this way. If you’re a woman, you may want to check out MomMD (www.mommd.com).
The following list of opportunities is clearly not exhaustive. This list is based on my personal interactions with people in these roles and as I meet more people, the list grows.
- Healthcare administration — Are you a seasoned healthcare executive? Do you enjoy making administrative decisions? Then join the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) and run a hospital or a managed care organization. If you have a strong interest in managed care, then check out the NAMCP (National Association of Managed Care Physicians). You may want to get an MBA or an MMM (masters in medical management). A valid medical license is required for most (if not all) of these positions.
- Venture capital and finance — Got an MBA? If not, are you thinking of getting one? Some will argue that once you have an “M.D.” after your name, it may not matter as much where you get your MBA. However, I would argue that your MBA is your path to networking opportunities, so where you get your MBA is critical if you want to have a solid network. Once you get your MBA, you can work for venture capital (VC) firms, dig into market research companies, or work for Wall Street. Heard of the Gerson Lehrman Group (www.glgroup.com)? No clinical experience necessary for many of these opportunities. In fact, many joint MD/MBA students have ventured directly into very successful careers this way. Also, an MBA is not necessary if you have some good business skills and understand the healthcare industry.
- Writing and medical communications — Do you enjoy writing? Many physicians and non-physicians have very successful careers as medical writers. The field is open to people who enjoy fiction writing, publications, research, or other types of writing. You can get involved working on journal publications, developing promotional content for marketing campaigns, or developing CME programs. Join the AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) and look for opportunities. You can work from home as a freelance writer and have a very flexible schedule. Or, you can work for a publisher or another type of healthcare communications company. You can find a list of some companies by looking at the North American Association of Medical Education and Communication Companies, Inc., (NAAMECC) website. No clinical experience is necessary.
- Technology and Informatics — Want to develop or improve an electronic health record (EHR) system? Do you love informatics? Then join the CCHIT (Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology), the AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association), and the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Clinicians use EHRs and patients (or consumers) use PHRs (Personal Health Records). There are many companies attempting to integrate the data between PHRs and EHRs. There is a national initiative to improve and standardize public health informatics, so now is a great time to enter this industry. No clinical experience is necessary, but you should be familiar with ICD, CPT, and other billing codes used in this industry.
- Disease management — Managed care organizations (MCOs) are always looking for better disease management (DM) programs for their plans. Some MCOs develop their own DM plans and others outsource them to external companies. These companies create and deliver various services to managed care organizations, including DM, wellness programs, personal health record services, etc. Do you ever get educational pamphlets from your own health plan? Who puts them together? Who designs and develops these wellness and preventive health programs? It’s not always WebMD. There are other companies that provide similar services.
- Pharma/Biotech/Device — If you’re a medical specialist, there are many opportunities to do research for these companies. If you don’t enjoy research, then you can develop marketing strategies. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements have become very popular these days. See all those ads in the medical journals? Get ready for that “corporate America” lifestyle if you plan to venture into industry. You may be working even more hours and carrying a Blackberry instead of a pager, but if you climb that “corporate ladder” and play the corporate game, you may qualify for an early retirement.
- Expert witnessing — Personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home care, etc. There are firms that specialize in specific areas (like nursing home cases). Want more information? Take a look at www.seak.com.
- Public health — Get an MPH, join the APHA (American Public Health Association), and find a local health department. Or, join the CDC and travel the world. Develop strategies to improve population health. Some pharmaceutical companies also have public health sections and are very devoted to public health and international health. Bridge gaps in healthcare disparities.
- Consulting — The world is open. Want to work for yourself or for a company? Many healthcare companies are looking for experts to help them develop, refine, and improve their products and services. It may be hard to get started unless you’ve already established connections. Once again, networking becomes critical.
- Research — Academia vs. private vs. industry vs. CRO. You don’t have to go into industry to do research. Look for a Contract Research Organization (CRO) in your area. Join the ACRO (Association of Clinical Research Organizations).
- Start a company — Have an innovative idea? New companies seem to be sprouting all the time. Stay connected with people and keep your eyes open for new ideas. Get an MBA and meet people who can help you get a concept off the ground.
Not sure where to start? As I mentioned above, start building your social and professional network. Reconnect with people and ask many questions. Find people who are in various positions and ask them what they like/dislike.
Join some associations to build your network and to find companies:
ACHE: American College of Healthcare Executives
ACPE: American College of Physician Executives
ACRO: Association of Clinical Research Organizations
AHIMA: American Health Information Management Association
AMIA: American Medical Informatics Association
AMWA: American Medical Writers Association
APHA: American Public Health Association
CCHIT: Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
NAMCP: National Association of Managed Care Physicians
National Association of MD/MBA Students
Finally, you may want to take a look at these programs:
MBA in a Day
SEAK - Non-clinical careers for physicians
SEAK - MBA skills for physicians
Visit the author’s blog: http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/
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23 Responses to “Non-Clinical Opportunities for Physicians”
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also journalism like CNN DR. SUNJAY GUPTA
I personally know of an MD internist who decided to leave the field of medicine and open up an extremely successful international medical transcription company, a medical billing company, and an urgent care. He has made millions off of his 3 ventures.
This was amazing! What a great post. Is there any way we can get in contact with Dr. Kim? I have given my SDN username above.
nice post…..
i think u forgot one really important avenues for us docs….
biomedical engineering…..extreme potential……lots of opportunities even now….and expected to increase exponentially in next 5 years….and its really interesting to be in as well…….
do give ur comments on this…..
I’m glad to hear that some people found this post useful. For those who want to ask me any direct questions or if you’d like me to help you get connected with some people, either: 1) send me a PM (username is mdjkim on the forums); 2) leave a comment on my blog (http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/) with a way for me to respond
or
3) create an account on LinkedIn and send me a personal message. LinkedIn is a great way to network with old colleagues and professionals. You may find some great leads there.
Deepak, I lumped biomedical engineering into #6 - devices. However, since biomedical engineering covers a much broader scope, I agree that it should probably be listed separately. After all, nanotechnology is a very hot area right now.
The other point I want to make is this: many device companies and biomedical companies rely on physicians as consultants. Hence, it may be difficult to find full-time employment (with a reasonable salary). However, you may find opportunities to consult for Contract Research Organizations (CROs) that work on devices and biomedical projects.
By the way, a few months ago I created a devoted blog on the topic of “non-clinical opportunities for clinicians.”
You can find this blog here:
http://nonclinical.blogspot.com/
Ask yourself why did you become a doctor. Try few years in clinicals to see if you enjoy it. If not then the non clinical is good too !
Two words: HEDGE FUNDS
Every other week, I seem to meet physicians and other clinicians who are so burned out from clinical medicine. It’s really a shame, but our healthcare system is falling apart and clinicians are working even harder than ever to care for patients. The workload is getting unbearable for many, so they’re looking for something that offers a better work/life balance.
Look at the comments on Sermo. That will tell you what clinical medicine is really like.
Good options listed above, so if you’re not interested in clinical work please go with one of them and don’t become a “No” doctor at some insurance company where all you do is say no.
How about providing expertise and advice to medically related shows, ie House, ER, Gray’s, and all the other doctor shows? I guess that could go under “consulting”.
Interested in writing stories, TV shows, books, etc? Take a look at this:
Medical Fiction Writing For Physicians
http://www.seak.com/semMedFictWrit06.htm
Personally, I feel as one who took years to get in to medical school with a lot of extra effort required, I see going into a non-clinical/laboratory field after having received your M.D. is a waste of your time and a waste of a spot in a medical school. With shortages of thousands of primary care doctors, these selfish individuals are complicit in depleting the diminishing number of practicing physicians in this country. There are plenty of other routes through business school, law school, or journalism school that people who want to be involved in medicine without being a practicing doctor can do without eating up spots in medical school. Medical school isn’t something you do on a whim just because you can, its something that you’re committing your whole life to. Its a great responsibility to have one of these coveted spots and those who go on to not use it, are wasting their time.
There are many reasons why physicians and other clinicians pursue non-clinical careers. I meet physicians who get disabled from diseases like RA, and they’re no longer able to practice medicine. Other physicians get an MPH and pursue non-clinical careers with ambitions to impact population health. Others may wish to work more with healthcare administration and improve hospitals and health systems. Those who are more interested in research and science may wish to find cures for disease. Hence, there are many different reasons and one cannot simply assume that the reasons are selfish.
I would agree with Dr. Kim. Much of the current health-care dilemma is due to the williness of physicians to quietly see patient after patient in clinic and leave the administation to others. On the other hand, we have all known bitter, burned out physicians who are just gutting their way through practice despite being brilliant with numbers. I agree that all potential physicians should expect and be prepared to perform a certain measure of clinical practice, but there are many vital roles in medicine which would be best staffed by a physician, and which do not involve a lot of clinical exposure.
Dear Sir/Madam
I am a General Practioner working in one of Governmental Hospitals in Ethiopia. I have a great ambition to study& even to be researcher in infectious diseases and tropical medicine but here there is very limitation to get the chance. I am working with common tropical diseases like Malaria, Kalazar, HIV-AIDS and also other SEXUALLY TRANSMITED DISEASES for the last 3 years.
Thinking that you will help me your best, I am asking you how I will be successful!
Thank you for your consideration and taking time!
Dr Zelalem (MD),
BAHIRDAR
ETHIOPIA
I agree there are situations in which a physician may be no longer able to practice. I don’t disagree with those who do decide on different career paths after going through a troublesome situation like a physical disability. However, I was commenting more on those who leave practice with no other purpose than to make much more money doing work in corporations, pharmaceuticals, journalism etc… There are other ways to obtain those positions without wasting your time going to medical school and eating up those spots that other students would gladly take and serve decades as clinicians helping to meet the shortage of doctors that there is currently in the country. I think we have a responsibility to those who gave us the spot in medical school to go and meet that shortage.
Nice post–thanks, I’ve bookmarked it for future reference when the time comes for me to make this decision. As of now just worrying about completing Step 1 and the latter half of school but I will keep this in the back of my mind when talk of residencies starts up.
Very important and vital post! Obtaining a MD degree does not mean one should work as a clinical physician at all. Many jobs related to the patient and hospital could be managed much better by a non-practicing physician rather than other graduates. The sight and vision of a physician quite differs other specialists. We must accept that medicine today is related to cooperation of multi jobs and professions and eventually, a “clean” physician out of clinical practice could be positive to the patient as those clinicians. Those who disagree with Dr. Kim might be young with lack of experience or narrow minded. Apart from the business, if you want to erect your hospital which do prefer as the superintendent: a non practicing physician or a non physician? How can you expect from a non MD graduate to run the hospital? How does he know about MRSA and etc? Yes at a glance it seems that a MD graduate wasted his/her time to shift to another job, but the reality is that this MD has got enough experience and skill to run another job to provide better services to the patients on the whole. However, if a physician merely shifts to another job which is not related to the patient services and just for having more money, in this case he is not fair. In general we have to see why does a physician shift to another job? As some mentioned before there are variety of reasons for shifting. Please don’t judge before listening to them!!!!!!
In short I agree with Dr. Kim’s post and thanks to him who opened new topics universally.
Talk is cheap yo, I like to see the person who criticizes others for switching out of medicine
gain some experience first. Once you practice as an internist for 20 years working 80 hour weeks and making less than you local convience shop owner, THEN you have the right to voice an opinion. Cuz right now, for all we know you might switch out of medicine once you realize you’ll never pay off your debt seeing medicaid patients in bum town USA. And heck, even then, assertions of selfishness might just be sour grapes for those who are stuck in this increasingly brutal field.
if i am not mistaken, dr. sunjay gupta also practices, maybe someone else knows more about him. i do not think he is simply a journalist as of right now.