As a physician, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of patient care. Your focus is on honing your clinical skills, keeping up with the latest research, and doing whatever it takes to provide the best possible care for your patients.
As it should be.
After all, that's why we went into medicine in the first place - to make a real difference in people's lives.
But here's the thing: your professional growth and development as a doctor shouldn't be a taboo topic. In fact, it's something we need to start talking about more openly.
During my time in residency, I made a point to connect with doctors from all different backgrounds and practice settings. I didn't just stick to the academic superstars in my program - I also sought out the community docs, the ones running their own private practices or working in other healthcare organizations.
And you know what I realized? There's a whole world beyond the ivory tower. Sure, the doctors in my residency were brilliant clinicians. But the community docs I spoke with had a very different perspective to share. They were incredibly open about the business side of medicine, about finding the right "fit" for their lifestyle and goals.
That was eye-opening for me. Because in med school and residency, we're so laser-focused on the clinical and academic side of things. We forget about the business and personal side.
Things like work-life balance, practice culture, and alignment with our personal values. These can make or break our job satisfaction - but they're often overlooked because someone decided doctors shouldn’t talk about this stuff.
Nonsense.
I encourage all residents to join me and push back against this taboo. Talk to docs in all different settings. Find out what their day-to-day looks like, what they love (and hate) about their work. Understand the business side of things, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable to speak about.
Because at the end of the day, you need to find a job that aligns with your own definition of success. Whether that's being your own boss, having more control over your schedule, or making a big impact on your community. The more perspectives you can get, the better equipped you'll be to make that critical first job decision.
And the better you’ll be at your job. Because happiness and fulfillment bring out the best in our clinical abilities. And provide the fuel to learn more and grow each day.
So let's start normalizing these conversations - it’s time.
What are your thoughts on this? I'd love to hear your experiences navigating the job search as a resident. Shoot me a message, I'm always happy to chat.
If you’d like to diver deeper into your career possibilities, join me for our next Lucens Rotation - Training to Employment: Land Your First Job After Residency & Fellowship, beginning on September 25, 2024. We’ll cover the real life dos and don’ts for your job search, share out of the box tactics and red flags to look out for, plus, we’ll pass along cheat codes from folks who’ve been there and done that. It’s a great way to get a leg up on your peers.
Wishing you all the best in your career journey,
Eric
Eric Mann, MD is the CEO and Founder of Lucens and an ophthalmologist with a thriving private practice in New Jersey.
