Connecting The Dots of Healthcare

“How can I do what you did?” is a frequent question I receive from physicians after a speaking program. They’re not asking about how to become a speaker or consultant, but rather how to explore other interests and create revenue streams from new businesses. “I’m so frustrated by medicine, I’d love to do something different, but this is all I know how to do.”

Physicians sell themselves short. How can highly educated, intelligent, hard working individuals can discount their abilities? I ask these doctors I meet a few questions.

1. What do you want?

2. What’s preventing you from getting it?

3. How can you overcome the obstacles to achieve your vision?

It’s not rocket science. But the fact is, inertia is huge. And to really change, there’s a lot of inertia to overcome and at some point, these questions must be addressed.

“I can’t afford to stop practicing medicine because I need the money” is the golden handcuffs of a medical career. The reality is it’s harder and harder to earn the same income every year without increasing our hours of work. It’s a diminishing financial reward. If it’s just a money issue, think about this. Paris Hilton’s stock is increasing this week by being IN JAIL. I watched Office Space last night on E! While healthcare is not as mind numbing as cubicle life… I think we deserve more than being a Medicare government employee without the benefits, (No paid time off, no vacation, no educational time, and we don’t get off for Veterans Day or Memorial Day!) Last night during the commercials, there was some ridiculous program being advertised about two dimbos who spray suntans on people with WAY too much time and money in Hollywood AND somebody’s making money off this junk! Look around you… if it’s only about the money, we all know that there are easier ways to earn a living and make more money than in medicine! For me it wasn’t all about the money. Sure, I wanted to be paid well for the good work I did… but what was most central was the joy and satisfaction I found by taking care of patients. I never thought I could find something as satisfying, but I did. Can you find as much satisfaction and joy at something different than what medicine once was to you? How disenchanted are you? What is your passion? What do you really want to do? If you’re in a position to be contemplating change, take a minute to honestly answer these questions. You may find you simply need to re-arrange your priorities and keep practicing medicine. You may find you need a “part-time” creative outlet to satisfy your craving for change while still practicing medicine. Or you may very well jump into the fray of a new career as an entrepreneurial doctor. (You’re always a doctor…. ALWAYS. You do not stop “being a doctor” when you do something else, even if unrelated to healthcare.) These decisions didn’t occur all at once for me. They evolved and opportunities presented themselves to me that opened doors I didn’t know existed. When I was ready to open them, I started to recognize them more often. And I’m still evolving. If you want to know “how I did it” and want to know how you might pursue an entrepreneurial pathway, I’ve got a friend who may be a great resource, Philippa Kennealy, MD, CPCC. Philippa helps physicians become entrepreneurs. Philippa interviewed me, (you can hear the 35 minute interview I had with Philippa and even read a PDF transcript of the interview, — if you’re a real glutton for punishment by CLICKING HERE) To learn more about Philippa and how she may provide you solutions, You can visit her website at or read her blog.