Despite the negativity that seems to be pervading the medical world, when it comes to the daily practice of medicine, it’s important to maintain some perspective.
Being a doctor is still a uniquely special job, tremendously challenging, and rewarding at the same time. It’s also still a very secure and well-paid profession—something that shouldn’t be taken for granted in today’s uncertain times.
If you’re a medical resident approaching the end of your residency training and pondering your career options, don’t get too discouraged by what you may be reading online and hearing from certain physicians. Remember that there’s a big world outside your residency program. Keep talking and networking with as many real-world physicians as possible to learn about what life is really like as a doctor nowadays. Before you enter that world of being an Attending physician, here are 5 pieces of advice from DocsDox:
1. Learn about the bureaucracy that you will be facing
It’s something that you are totally hidden from as an intern and resident when you are rightly entirely focused on learning about clinical medicine. But if you neglect this completely, you are in for a big shock when you start your clinical practice. Talk to your Attendings and understand what they have to deal with on a daily basis. Even if it’s just scratching the surface.
2. The business of medicine and payment models
Okay, you may have gone into medicine for altruistic reasons, and that’s all very well and good. However, you also likely have a substantial debt burden to pay off and big ambitions to fulfill. It’s okay to want a big house, nice cars and foreign vacations—you deserve them. Exactly how you get paid is therefore very important, and is changing rapidly. It’s in your best interests to gain some knowledge and understanding of this. Familiarize yourself with terms like accountable care organizations and bundled payments. The days of the good old friendly solo physician in their private office around the corner appear to be (sadly) numbered. Know how and why this has happened.
3. Politics
You’re probably either really into politics, or not. If you’re not, we’ve got bad news for you as a doctor! You need to be more savvy in this area. Simply because it will affect you way too much to not care. Whether we are talking about national politics that dictate how you will be getting paid, or internal healthcare organization politics that also dictate exactly the same thing—it’s time to start getting involved. You will be your own biggest advocate.
4. Everywhere you work is different
Nowhere is the same. One doctor’s experience in one institution, will be completely different from another doctor’s experience at another institution only a few miles away. This will be for a number of different reasons including unique organizational environments and also the financial health of the hospital or clinic.
5. Keep being a good doctor
You’ve come so far and have a bright future ahead of you. The above points, while being important to touch upon and understand before you finish your residency, will never be more important than learning to be a good doctor! This will trump absolutely everything.
These are just 5 things to remember as you embark on the next big step in your career. Congratulate yourself. You’ve worked very hard, shown amazing persistence, and deserve to be happy. Just know what awaits you and you’ll be able to handle anything that is thrown your way. Crucially too, you’ll also be able to exert influence and help make things better by understanding all the things going on in the background
Be savvy and street smart, young Doctor.
About the Company: DocsDox (www.docsdox.com) is a service that connects physicians with great moonlighting and per diem opportunities, without the middleman. Regain your independence, autonomy, and practice on your own terms.
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