Why the physician path today is far from linear

Physician
April 16, 2012

As a child, the only physician I ever knew was our crusty opinionated and entirely trustworthy family doc. His physician career spanned almost five decades, in one unbroken line from his first days as a GP in solo practice until his retirement, which occurred way past the age at which most of us would like to stop working.

His was the typical physician career, representing continuity, professional satisfaction and a lifelong commitment …

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Why the physician path today is far from linear

Use a beginner’s mind in your medical practice

Physician
October 2, 2011

As a mom and first-time parent, I marveled at my tiny daughter’s curiosity about and interest in the world. Her quest for knowledge was insatiable and her ability to sit absorbed in what she was doing and the moment enviable. Now that she’s 8 (“8 and a quarter, mom!”, said with a sigh and an attitude), she seems to have morphed into a smart, verging-on-sassy pre-tween who’s beginning to think …

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Use a beginner’s mind in your medical practice

What Richard Branson can teach doctors

Physician
July 11, 2011

Part-maverick, part-unconventional, part-smart business owner Sir Richard Branson has business lessons to share in spades. Since I recently read his third autobiographical book Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur, I wanted to pass on some of what I learned from the book.

Without knowing exactly why, I have long admired his acumen and chutzpah. His story has provided me insights into why I’ve been so drawn to his adventures in …

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What Richard Branson can teach doctors

To sell your practice or not: The decision facing most physicians today

Policy
April 17, 2011

I took my eye off the ball for just a little while, and guess what happened? When I looked again, I discovered that familiar solo practitioner or small group physician medical practices are on the verge of disappearing. Going the way of the dinosaur.

At least, that’s what the pundits are saying.

In a recently published nifty newsletter, STAT Monthly, I read:

Primary care physicians and other specialists will continue to be the …

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To sell your practice or not: The decision facing most physicians today

What is job satisfaction for physicians?

Physician
February 10, 2011

“I can’t get no satisfaction,” sang the Rolling Stones. And so it goes for many of the physicians who contact me.

I was struck by the fact that the word “satisfaction” in connection with work was used in two separate conversations with physicians recently.

It got me curious.  Just what is job satisfaction?

How is it defined by the folks who study this kind of stuff?

And why is it so hard to come …

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What is job satisfaction for physicians?

Facebook Page or Facebook Profile, what doctors need to know

Social media
December 10, 2010

Now I am going to confess my bias – I am fast becoming a Facebook junkie! As an entrepreneurial physician who has to keep feeding and nurturing a business, I sense Facebook’s huge potential and I’m eager to learn how to participate effectively in this brave new world.

Both Twitter (an instantaneous but fleeting stream of chatter mixed in with pointers to valuable resources) and LinkedIn (a searchable Rolodex on steroids) …

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Facebook Page or Facebook Profile, what doctors need to know

Physicians need to consider a digital resume

Physician
October 24, 2010

As a physician coach to doctor clients making the transition from clinical practice and seeking out new careers, I latched onto a recent article in the Los Angeles Times business section.

Titled “Revive your Resume” by Emily Hughey Quinn, it hints at the death of the traditional paper resume. In its place is the digital resume you create on sites such as LinkedIn and VisualCV.

Take special note – if you’re a …

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Physicians need to consider a digital resume

How physicians can endure the trauma of a malpractice lawsuit

Physician
September 11, 2010

Several clients have endured the trauma of malpractice law suits, Medicare audits and stinging accusations or criticisms from patients or colleagues that leave them reeling.

These clients have shared feelings of:

  • shame
  • despair
  • depression
  • loss of self-worth
  • disillusionment
  • confusion
  • hurt
  • defeat

Oddly enough, one of the least common feelings they’re able to get in touch with is anger.

Maybe it’s because my clients are self-selected, and many tend to be goal-oriented strivers with a perfectionistic streak. They were, as was I, …

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How physicians can endure the trauma of a malpractice lawsuit

Doctors need to confront end of life care

Patient
August 10, 2010

“Avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism”

Recognize this phrase? It’s from our Hippocratic Oath, the one I took, standing beside my newly assigned cadaver, in my second year of medical school.

“What Broke My Father’s Heart“, recently in the New York Times Magazine, is an exquisitely painful story of medicine and our Oath gone awry in the United States. I urge you to read it.

End-of-life care is a …

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Doctors need to confront end of life care

World Cup soccer lessons that doctors can use

Physician
July 9, 2010

Not being much of a soccer aficionado, I have nevertheless been captivated by some of the games in the 2010 World Cup Soccer. Probably has something to do with my being South African!

While I hear many Americans bemoan the slow pace of the televised game (“boring!”), the low scores (“where’s the action?”) and the vuvuzelas (“irritating!”), I have been struck by lessons these matches have offered up for entrepreneurial physician …

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World Cup soccer lessons that doctors can use