Most of the physicians I’ve worked with have a common problem: They love being a physician, but they feel dissatisfied with their career. In a lot of cases, coaching helps them identify new passions within medicine, such as administrative roles, teaching the next generation or volunteering abroad. But some discover new passions outside medicine.
How do you figure out what you might want to do? And how do you balance your new passion with your work as a physician? I’ve done it, and I can help you find your own path to a fulfilling career designed for you.
Identify Your Transferable Skills
Being a physician isn’t limited to diagnosing medical conditions. We have a wealth of skills that are valuable across a variety of professions, including communication, negotiation, time management, critical thinking, data analysis and so much more.
I begin by asking my clients where they really excel to help them narrow down the potential career options.
If you’re very interested in research and innovation, for example, I’d suggest thinking about roles such as medical science liaison or medical director with a pharmaceutical company, or advisor with a medical device developer or startup. In addition to working indirectly with patients and being involved in developing new drugs, techniques or products, you’ll help translate the science for patients and others outside medicine. As physicians, we’re already used to making complex information understandable for patients, so it’s a natural fit.
Consider Your Hobbies and Interests
A lot of people have hobbies or interests they want to explore professionally, in hopes of building a fulfilling dual career or managing burnout by reducing clinical hours.
When I was first introduced to coaching as a coachee, I discovered a deep interest in helping other physicians find career fulfillment through coaching. So I trained, became certified and now coaching makes up 20% of my work week.
Similarly, one of my clients who has a talent for connecting people launched a lifestyle consulting business, offering advice on everything from relationships to settling into a city.
Many physicians choose to pursue creative hobbies. I know a family physician who uses her artistic skills to design stickers in her spare time, and she wanted to explore whether her hobby could become a second career. During the pandemic, she discovered a talent for designing clever greeting cards with a medical twist.
I also know a physician who’s also a writer; and a respiratory therapist who became a photographer and now does it full-time because it’s what works best for her family life at this stage.
Explore New Options in Medicine
For physicians who want to stay within the medical field but are looking for a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment, there are lots of options to suit a variety of values and interests.
A client who identifies service to others or social justice as a core value might be an especially good fit for a role in public health.
Physicians who yearn to travel or experience work and life in a new place could explore the idea of working abroad. You’ll need to work with your department head to make sure you have the option to take a leave. If that’s not a possibility but you really want to work abroad, then it may be time to consider a lateral move to a clinic or hospital that provides the flexibility to work abroad periodically.
Another option could include a locum for two or three weeks to work in Northern Canada or a rural area that’s underserved. You’ll get a break from your regular routine while helping a community in need, and that can have a significant impact on your career fulfillment.
There are also lots of options for additional training in new areas. An MBA can support a move into administrative and executive roles in medicine, for example. Meanwhile, one of my senior leaders is working on a law degree to better understand how the law protects patients and physicians.
Blending Options to Design Your Career
The process of merging different career paths together can be tricky, but coaching can help you figure out your next steps, identify the right people to provide support, and access the resources you need to make it happen.
As a gastroenterologist, the work I do is procedural, so it was relatively straightforward for me to cut back on patient hours so that I could take on coaching. But even so, for the first few months, I had a jumble of appointments and meetings, and it took about six to eight months to find the right balance. Today, I have a well-defined week, with two days for patient care, two days for the administrative role I’ve since taken on, and one day for coaching — although I have an entirely different routine when I need to be on-call for a seven-day stretch.
This kind of custom-designed work week can be more challenging for physicians who are working full-time in an in-patient unit, or those who have a full patient load in a family practice. Flexibility and support are critical when you opt for a dual or multi career, so you’ll want to start by confiding in people who will support your plans.
As your coach, I’m also a valuable resource. I’ve moved into administration and started a business, so I can help my entrepreneurial and leadership-focused clients understand what they’re getting into. For example, it took me a while to gain traction as a coach because I didn’t initially have a website where potential clients could learn more about my services. Marketing is a learning curve for most physicians, but through sharing my own experiences, I’m able to help my clients get a stronger start.
While it takes a bit of time to get a new venture off the ground or find a new career path in medicine, coaching can help you break down barriers, identify opportunities and provide the accountability everyone needs to reach their goals. I’m here to help ease the way as you build a fulfilling career and life.