From Doctor to Blogger?

Physician's who are choosing non-clinical careers are becoming increasingly common.

In doing background research for our Medical Fusion conference, I began looking around for examples of physicians who have branched out into other areas. Had I done my search even a few years ago, the examples would have been few and far between. In the not-so-distant past, it was very unusual-- almost unheard of-- for a competent physician to leave medicine. The training was too long, and the prestige factor was just too high. Doctors didn't leave medicine unless they were incompetent, corrupt, or very, very unique.

Now the examples are more plentiful, although it still is unusual for a physician to completely leave medicine behind.

All this brings me to the very interesting story of Dr. Arnold Kim. Dr. Kim might be the story of our times-- a Nephrologist from Virginia who gave up medicine to become...a blogger?

Dr. Kim runs a blog called Mac Rumors that he began in 2000. As the site grew, Dr. Kim saw an opportunity to focus on something that he was truly passionate about and that gave him more time to spend with his young daughter. He made the decision and has not looked back.

What makes Dr. Kim's story so interesting is not just that he left medicine, but that he left medicine for a "career" that was not even a possibility until recent years.  Of course, with the rise of the internet, technology has changed how people view work and opened the door to a variety of interesting opportunities.  In upcoming posts I'm hoping to review some of my favorite books on the subject including Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink and The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman.

The point of all this is not that the typical physician-- or anyone else for that matter-- should begin looking into a career in the blogosphere.  The point is that interesting niches are available for those motivated individuals who are willing to take a little risk and step out of their comfort zones.  

Are You a Physician Entrepreneur?

I read a great post recently by Anthony Tjanentitled Entrepreneurial DNA: Do You Have It? on the Harvard Business blog.

In the article, Mr. Tjan argues that entrepreneurs have a distinct profile that is obvious to those familiar with it.  He says,

"Entrepreneurs hold an idealism and risk profile that makes them fundamentally different. They don't think about security--in fact they are often uncomfortable with it. And they have the guts to bet it over and over again. They think less about what they lack and more about what they can achieve with what they have. In a sea of ambiguity, they forge ahead with an incredible fortitude."

It's an interesting read and good food for thought for any physician considering entrepreneurship as a career.

A Doctor by Choice, A Businessman by Necessity

Dr. Sandeep Jauhar wrote an essay in the New York Times recently that really captures the emotion of what's currently happening in medicine. 

Doctors feel disillusioned and overwhelmed by forces that are shifting the focus of medicine away from patient care to commercialism. Everything is now about reimbursement and cost containment. The idea of patient care is being lost in a sea of paperwork, frantic attempts at efficiency, and red tape.

Most doctors aren't business people-- they're physicians first and only-- and this cultural shift is causing many of them to rethink their career choices. The change has already driven some completely out of medicine, and I am concerned many more will soon follow. 

Dr. Jauhar writes,

"Among my colleagues I sense an emotional emptiness created by the relentless consideration of money. Most doctors went into medicine for intellectual stimulation or the desire to develop relationships with patients, not to maximize income. There is a palpable sense of grieving. We strove for so long, made so many sacrifices, and for what? In the end, for many, the job has become only that — a job."

What is being lost today is the idea that medicine is a career that is honorable and unique. There is a sacredness to the patient-doctor relationship that is being driven out by business concerns. When this sacredness  is gone-- and it is almost gone already-- there will be those who will benefit, but physicians and patients will be the ones left hurting, and the ones expected to pick up the pieces that are left.

What is the Medical Fusion Conference?

In this short video, Dr. Greg Bledsoe gives an overview of the Medical Fusion Conference.

The Medical Fusion Conference introduces clinical physicians to a variety of niche areas where physicians can apply their clinical knowledge.  Experts have been gathered to discuss a variety of topics including entrepreneurship, cosmetic medicine, concierge medicine, real estate investing, financial management, writing and publishing, and much more.

For clinical physicians who are interested in broadening their careers, the Medical Fusion Conference is an excellent way to begin learning about career possibilities and developing a network of experts and mentors.

Internet Entrepreneurship & Marketing for Physicians

Dr. Mike Woo-Ming discusses ways that the internet can be used to develop entrepreneurial ideas and market products.  Dr. Woo-Ming is a Family Physician who retired from medicine to develop his internet businesses.  

Physicians and Start-Up Companies

In this video, Dr. Michael VanRooyen of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative discusses start-up companies and principles for physicians interested in participating in a new business endeavor.