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

Mastering the art of transition: essential tips for leaving your medical career behind and pursuing a new path

Amanda Hill, JD
Finance
May 13, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

You have had a long, fulfilling career. Or maybe you’re in the middle of practice, realizing you’re burned out and tired, and wanting to do something else. Maybe the practice you joined no longer fuels you, or you realize you’re working too hard. It could even be a family or health issue that forces you to look elsewhere. Or you think, “How can I transition from a practicing doctor to a coach, trainer, or something else?” One thing is for certain – change is hard.

The most difficult thing about transitions is that you’ve never been taught how to quit. You’ve trained yourself to work, and succeed, and suck it up. But quitting really isn’t a word you’re used to. But there are times that walking away from a job or position is the right thing to do, and there is value in doing it well.

I also want to try and re-phrase the word “quitting.” You’re transitioning to another thing, whether it’s for personal reasons or retirement, but you aren’t giving up. Changing and adjusting to your world, your family, your mental health, your inner core, and following your internal agency and goals, is good and healthy. It’s certainly not giving up. Sometimes you need to think about the details of the transition.

So here are three things to think about when transitioning out of your job or practice:

First, carefully review your contract.

Most providers have a physician employment agreement, or an investment in something they need to unwind. Sit down, review your contract, and start to go over all the things that are going to be “triggered” by you leaving. OK, so maybe you have a non-compete. Think about whether you will practice moving forward and if the non-compete is a barrier. Or think about things you can do for a certain period of time that don’t violate it but keep the door open in the future. What about a buy-out of your shares if you own part of a business, and what’s the notice you need to give in order to get out? Sometimes there is a 90-day notice in employment agreements or even a year-long notice in some partnership agreements, so you need to be aware of this in advance. Go through all your legal agreements and role-play what happens if you quit, resign, or sell.

Second, think about how you’ll notify your patients.

One of the hardest things about leaving a job or position is saying goodbye, to not only the staff that you really enjoyed working with but your patients. Most states have notification requirements that are specific to your state that you have a duty to notify your patients and let them know how to get their medical records. Often it’s a 30-day notice that you are leaving, and sometimes you tell them where you are going, and you can then let them know how to contact you if necessary. It’s important not to just walk out the door and leave patients wondering what happened. Take the time to talk to your patients and explain that hey, I’ve really enjoyed treating you, but I’m moving on.

Third, don’t just jump to the next thing without really thinking it through. 

You may not know exactly now, but you want to set yourself up for the most successful version of yourself. Take the time to do some inner work, like therapy and breathing and focusing on things that fuel you while you are also protecting the backbone of your hard work you’ve done. Don’t burn bridges, keep your license and insurance, and allow yourself the freedom to take the next step.

I read about one family medicine physician who said it like this: the first three months allowed her to regroup. She said she had a lot of strange and stressful dreams that first few months. The second three months helped her reevaluate her priorities and decide about next steps. The final three months were about preparation and transition, including a cross-country move. Not everyone will face it like this, nor have the luxury or money to take six months to move to the next thing, but think about building in the time it takes to transition well. You don’t want to jump from one job you aren’t happy with to a new job with the same trigger points.

Transitions are good and healthy, but they can also be overwhelming. Try using these three tips the next time you make a big change.

Amanda Hill is a health care attorney.

ADVERTISEMENT

Prev

Unveiling the power of spirituality in health care [PODCAST]

May 12, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

Unlocking the power of morning intentions: a physician's self-care practice for finding ease and flow in life

May 13, 2023 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Practice Management

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Unveiling the power of spirituality in health care [PODCAST]
Next Post >
Unlocking the power of morning intentions: a physician's self-care practice for finding ease and flow in life

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Amanda Hill, JD

  • Top 4 burning questions doctors ask health care attorneys

    Amanda Hill, JD
  • Know your worth: Negotiating employment contracts from a place of strength

    Amanda Hill, JD

Related Posts

  • Medical schools should improve long-term career counseling

    Akhilesh Pathipati, MD
  • 8 scholarship tips for medical school

    Trisha Chau
  • 3 steps to gain expertise early in your medical career

    Stephanie Wellington, MD
  • Digital advances in the medical aid in dying movement

    Jennifer Lynn
  • 9 medical student tips to prepare for the Match

    Diego Razura
  • 5 tips for surviving your first year in medical school

    Amit Phull, MD

More in Finance

  • 5 blind spots that stall physician wealth

    Johnny Medina, MSc
  • The most overlooked skill in medicine: contract negotiation

    Cynthia Chen-Joea, DO, MPH and Peter Baum, DO
  • The business lesson new doctors must unlearn

    Stanley Liu, MD
  • The hidden impact of denials on health care systems

    Diana Ortiz, JD
  • Why physicians are unlike the “average” investor

    David B. Mandell, JD, MBA
  • Signing bonuses and taxes: What physicians should know

    Shane Tenny, CFP
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

      Noah Weinberg | Conditions
    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • How to speak the language of leadership to improve doctor wellness [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight

      Marco Benítez | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

      Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO | Physician
    • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why perinatal mental health is the top cause of maternal death in the U.S.

      Sheila Noon | Conditions
    • Why medical student debt is killing primary care in America

      Alexander Camp | Education

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

View 1 Comments >

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

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • How community paramedicine impacts Indigenous elders

      Noah Weinberg | Conditions
    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • How to speak the language of leadership to improve doctor wellness [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight

      Marco Benítez | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Would The Pitts’ Dr. Robby Robinavitch welcome a new colleague? Yes. Especially if their initials were AI.

      Gabe Jones, MBA | Tech
    • Why medicine must stop worshipping burnout and start valuing humanity

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why screening for diseases you might have can backfire

      Andy Lazris, MD and Alan Roth, DO | Physician
    • How organizational culture drives top talent away [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why perinatal mental health is the top cause of maternal death in the U.S.

      Sheila Noon | Conditions
    • Why medical student debt is killing primary care in America

      Alexander Camp | Education

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

Mastering the art of transition: essential tips for leaving your medical career behind and pursuing a new path
1 comments

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

Loading Comments...