The Three Stages of a Physician's Career

Today's medical graduates are superbly trained to practice state-of-the art clinical medicine. However, only in rare instances are they trained to self-manage their careers and medical practices. This book fills that gap in training and knowledge. To assist students, interns, residents, fellows, and practicing physicians manage the many challenges of their career, the authors have divided physicians careers into three stages: Early-Career, Mid-Career, and Late-Career. The goal of this book is to provide a go-to resource on strategic career and practice management, highlighting the unique issues, concerns and challenges doctors face during these three, very different stages of their career from medical school through post-retirement. This book, featuring insights from physician career and practice management experts, is an invaluable treasure trove of practical, hands-on advice from an author team gathering their expertise in one place. Jam-packed with easy-to-implement suggestions, you'll hear sage advice from a career coach for physicians, two certified financial planners, a healthcare attorney, a medical school dean for student advising, two experts who launch, merge, and sell physician practices, and a surgeon who literally wrote the book, on the business aspects of running a medical practice. All are recognized authorities in their field, and the authors are joined by a distinguished group of contributors including, Randy Bauman, Keith Borglum, Thomas Shapira, and Dr. Neil Gesundheit. The contributors have decades of experience writing about the career and/or practice issues of physicians, and advising physicians and physicians-in-training. The Early-Career section provides in-depth descriptions of career theory, choosing a medical field, renewing and balancing yourself, managing career transitions, and practical guidelines to navigate the many other challenges of early careers in medicine. The Mid-Career section offers the broadest and most detailed information available regarding practice organization and management, building assets and retirement planning, estate planning, common legal issues, and how to manage the challenges of malpractice and/or impairment. The Late-Career section covers deciding what to do after practice, closing the doors or selling a practice, and evolving estate and practice priorities so there is joy in a well-planned retirement filled with fun, meaning, and contribution. This book will become your go to resource for critical topics such as these: Modern Career Theory as it pertains to medical careers Defining & managing the 3 types of medical career transitions. How to transition to a non-clinical career How to choose your area of medical specialization Self-Renewal, work-life balance, and the unique balance challenges of students and trainees The essentials of landing your first job How to dissect and interpret employment agreements How to select a financial advisor and professional support team Learn the essentials to master: Insurance policies, profit sharing plans, 401K and 403b, debt reduction Understanding retirement plans and creating an investment plan Relief from fear of the unknown when experiencing or surviving a malpractice lawsuit Recognizing and knowing how to deal with impairment in a colleague or yourself Practical advice on marketing and practice promotion PROTIREMENT: the proper approach to retirement planning Knowing how to wind down or sell a practice or partnership What comes next: creating joy and meaning after practice From the day you enter medical school until you take off the white coat, this book will guide you to be career-resilient, sustain practice success, and enter an exciting and fulfilling retirement without financial worries.