Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

What bored doctors can do after they retire

Michael Woo-Ming, MD
Potpourri
July 19, 2010
Share
Tweet
Share

As the baby boom generation nears retirement, there will be a flood of doctors left wondering what to do with their time. Some doctors will continue to work in practice and, although it is certainly rewarding to work hands-on with patients and new staff, after 30, 40, or 50 years in the business many start to explore other options.

The motivation that drives one to medicine often stays with them for the rest of their life. Altruism is a difficult thing to suppress and for this reason a lot of doctors feel unfulfilled with the traditional notions associated with retirement. Playing golf, fishing, relaxing by the beach, and reading are certainly well deserved rewards for years of hardship and sacrifice, but after time they may ring hollow. However, there are other options rather than returning to practice.

One popular option doctors can explore is to write a book. Writing can provide a new source of income, can be done at one’s leisure, is a good way to stay involved in the medical community, and is emotionally satisfying. There are two veins to explore when considering writing a book.

First, you can write a book on medical conditions that the public is interested in (autism is a big one right now). Cater the information to the public so it can be easily understood and address the topics they want to know about. For example, if you decide to write a book exploring autism you would want to include chapters on supposed causes, the effects of vaccines, mercury in vaccines, and glutin-free casein-free diets. Also, in this example, pairing up with a behavior therapist to include chapters on behavior modification would make the book even more appealing to readers.

You could also use your expert knowledge to write a guidebook for medical students and graduates. These guidebooks could cover such topics as enrolling in medical school, how to survive medical school, how to get in to the residency programs you want and how to apply for positions after graduation. Also, if you have niche knowledge in one specific area of focus consider writing a report or guide to pass that knowledge on to younger doctors. If you live near a medical school another idea would be to spend time coaching or tutoring struggling students.

All the knowledge and skills a doctor accumulates throughout their years in practice leads to an invaluable treasure trove of wisdom. Retirement is the perfect time to pass this information along to the public or to a younger generation of physicians.

Michael Woo-Ming is a physician-entrepreneur who blogs at IncomeMD.

Submit a guest post and be heard.

Prev

Prior authorization required by health insurers impedes primary care

July 19, 2010 Kevin 25
…
Next

USA Today op-ed: Physician burnout harms patients

July 19, 2010 Kevin 22
…

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Prior authorization required by health insurers impedes primary care
Next Post >
USA Today op-ed: Physician burnout harms patients

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Michael Woo-Ming, MD

  • Why physician-owned businesses need our attention and support

    Michael Woo-Ming, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    4 tips for using social media to attract new patients

    Michael Woo-Ming, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Physician reputation management starts in the office

    Michael Woo-Ming, MD

More in Potpourri

  • What it takes to be called a great doctor: a patient’s perspective

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Your audience deserves the best: Consider Physician Speaking by KevinMD to highlight your event

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Physician keynotes at TexMed 2019 and the 2019 ASPR Annual Conference

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Welcome to your new career center!

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Physician speakers are ready to highlight your conference: Spring 2018 update

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Consider the @KevinMD keynote experience for your event

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • What if medicine had an exit interview?

      Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C | Conditions
    • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

      Ashish Mandavia, MD | Physician
    • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

      Kenneth Ro, MD | Physician
    • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

      Mike Stillman, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Conditions
    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Inside human trafficking: a guide to recognizing and preventing it [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Graduating from medical school without family: a story of strength and survival

      Anonymous | Education
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • My journey from misdiagnosis to living fully with APBD

      Jeff Cooper | Conditions
    • Addressing the physician shortage: How AI can help, not replace

      Amelia Mercado | Tech
    • Why does rifaximin cost 95 percent more in the U.S. than in Asia?

      Jai Kumar, MD, Brian Nohomovich, DO, PhD and Leonid Shamban, DO | Meds
  • Recent Posts

    • How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws

      Nicole M. King, MD | Physician
    • What if medicine had an exit interview?

      Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C | Conditions
    • Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it

      Ashish Mandavia, MD | Physician
    • From survival to sovereignty: What 35 years in the ER taught me about identity, mortality, and redemption

      Kenneth Ro, MD | Physician
    • When doctors forget how to examine: the danger of lost clinical skills

      Mike Stillman, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...