Successfully managing your career in medicine

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Most of us looked ahead to becoming a doctor, but likely gave little thought to what would come after that. Generally speaking, physicians graduate from medical school in their mid-to-late 20s, and retire in their mid-to-late 60s. Thus, we have at least a 40-year career in medicine. What excites and sustains us at the start may not be enough to fulfil us at other phases of our career.

Luckily, there are strategies and knowledge that we can harness to manage our career in medicine and continue to enjoy it, including:

1. Realizing we have choices

The key to career satisfaction is to proactively shape your own career path. Think about this consciously. Some of us may choose to continue to do the same thing throughout our entire career, while others may choose to have varying areas of interest and focus at different times. There is no right answer. What is important is that we see it as a choice that we can make at any point in the process.

2. Three normal stages of a career — energy/excitement, reality, legacy

We start off with energy and excitement, then reality sets in and we can feel tired and discouraged. We then

redefine and set more accessible goals, so we can leave a legacy. We will all go through these three stages. This is normal and natural, so expect and embrace this process.

3. The seven-year rule

One can only do something and truly enjoy it for about seven years at a time. Thus, we can plan to regularly reassess what we are doing, and modify it in some minor or major way to continue to enjoy it further.

4. Consider why

Identify why you may want to make a change. Define what you like and do not like about what you are now doing. State your needs, interests, and values. Once you can recognize these factors, you can better ensure that your new choice is what you are looking for.

5. The three-step rule for change

There are generally three steps in making a change in your medical career — modify, change within medicine, and change outside of medicine. Just because you are no longer feeling fulfilled does not mean that you have to throw it all away. Many people successfully modify part of what they are currently doing, or how they do it, and the situation improves. Sometimes, it may require

a change of focus within medicine, either a new clinical focus, or adding new roles in medical education, research, writing, politics or administration. Finally, some of us make choices that will take us out of medicine entirely.

6. Consider what

Start to explore the new area of focus you have identified. Talk to colleagues and mentors, and network with people in the field. Browse related websites, attend conferences, and/or volunteer on related committees.

7. The 80%-20% overlap

If possible, do not plan to make a complete change all at once. Plan to have the next step overlap this one by 80%. Start with modifying 20% of what you are currently doing to include your new area of focus; maintain 80% as is for now. This will allow you to assess and adjust as necessary, and confirm your choice.

8. Consider when

Making a change in career in midlife is not easy. We need to consider many factors, such as finances, family needs, or willingness to relocate. Set a realistic timeline, as it usually takes two to three years to make a major change.

9. More education

Review and update your CV. Education and qualifications are important, but you already possess a great deal of both, and more is not necessarily better. Consider what you want to do first, and then work backwards to see if you will need to build on your current knowledge and skills to achieve your goals.

10. Expect to grieve and manage loss

Even if you want and choose it, there is still a loss associated with change. Anticipate this, and the associated feelings of denial, protest, anger, sadness, and acceptance, both within yourself, as well as the people around you who will be impacted by the change.

Using a positive, proactive approach, you must plan to continuously assess and reshape your career goals. You can actively mould your career paths, and ensure that you develop personally and professionally, and remain satisfied throughout your entire career.

For further information on this topic, please refer to Dr. Gautam’s website at www.peakmd.ca.

Most of us looked ahead to becoming a doctor, but likely gave little thought to what would come after that. Generally speaking, physicians graduate from medical school in their mid-to-late 20s, and retire in their mid-to-late 60s. Thus, we have at least a 40-year career in medicine. What excites and sustains us at the start may not be enough to fulfil us at other phases of our career.

Luckily, there are strategies and knowledge that we can harness to manage our career in medicine and continue to enjoy it, including:

1. Realizing we have choices

The key to career satisfaction is to proactively shape your own career path. Think about this consciously. Some of us may choose to continue to do the same thing throughout our entire career, while others may choose to have varying areas of interest and focus at different times. There is no right answer. What is important is that we see it as a choice that we can make at any point in the process.

2. Three normal stages of a career — energy/excitement, reality, legacy

We start off with energy and excitement, then reality sets in and we can feel tired and discouraged. We then

redefine and set more accessible goals, so we can leave a legacy. We will all go through these three stages. This is normal and natural, so expect and embrace this process.

3. The seven-year rule

One can only do something and truly enjoy it for about seven years at a time. Thus, we can plan to regularly reassess what we are doing, and modify it in some minor or major way to continue to enjoy it further.

4. Consider why

Identify why you may want to make a change. Define what you like and do not like about what you are now doing. State your needs, interests, and values. Once you can recognize these factors, you can better ensure that your new choice is what you are looking for.

5. The three-step rule for change

There are generally three steps in making a change in your medical career — modify, change within medicine, and change outside of medicine. Just because you are no longer feeling fulfilled does not mean that you have to throw it all away. Many people successfully modify part of what they are currently doing, or how they do it, and the situation improves. Sometimes, it may require

a change of focus within medicine, either a new clinical focus, or adding new roles in medical education, research, writing, politics or administration. Finally, some of us make choices that will take us out of medicine entirely.

6. Consider what

Start to explore the new area of focus you have identified. Talk to colleagues and mentors, and network with people in the field. Browse related websites, attend conferences, and/or volunteer on related committees.

7. The 80%-20% overlap

If possible, do not plan to make a complete change all at once. Plan to have the next step overlap this one by 80%. Start with modifying 20% of what you are currently doing to include your new area of focus; maintain 80% as is for now. This will allow you to assess and adjust as necessary, and confirm your choice.

8. Consider when

Making a change in career in midlife is not easy. We need to consider many factors, such as finances, family needs, or willingness to relocate. Set a realistic timeline, as it usually takes two to three years to make a major change.

9. More education

Review and update your CV. Education and qualifications are important, but you already possess a great deal of both, and more is not necessarily better. Consider what you want to do first, and then work backwards to see if you will need to build on your current knowledge and skills to achieve your goals.

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10. Expect to grieve and manage loss

Even if you want and choose it, there is still a loss associated with change. Anticipate this, and the associated feelings of denial, protest, anger, sadness, and acceptance, both within yourself, as well as the people around you who will be impacted by the change.

Using a positive, proactive approach, you must plan to continuously assess and reshape your career goals. You can actively mould your career paths, and ensure that you develop personally and professionally, and remain satisfied throughout your entire career.

For further information on this topic, please refer to Dr. Gautam’s website at www.peakmd.ca.

For inquiries about this content or OMA Practice Management & Education, please contact us.1.800.268.7215 or 416.599.2580 | practicemanagement@oma.org | OMA.org

OMA Practice Management & Education (PME) resources aim to help physicians maintain a successful medical practice, including skills development, usable tools, and medical billing support. Additional resources on these and other topics are available at www.oma.org.

This article was written by Dr. Mamta Gautam and originally published in the March 2012 issue of the Ontario Medical Review.