Career change for doctors

Where to begin?

Why doctors may think they need to change career
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There are many issues to consider in making a career change

Some of the first include...
  • Finding time to do this
  • Knowing where to start
  • What type of change

In our ebook "easy career change - good career choice" we list over 8 different types of career change 
from changing the post you already have (ie within it and not actually moving to anything new - not always easy but sometimes it is the best starting place) to starting a business, from changing where you work to a radical career change.

People often assume "career change" means leaping into the wild blue yonder - a bit like jumping out of a plane without a parachute. But there are many different types of "change and it is worth knowing this before you attempt anything resembling change to your career path or workstyle.

However our 25 years experience has shown that not only is sometimes a radical change not necessary but if it is - the process can in fact be a lot less scary and even well contained if it is planned appropriately over a realistic time frame.

Suggestions

Everyone comes to Medical Forum at a different stage in their career development or career concerns. Some are raring to go and in a good position to take on in depth career planning. Others are so burnt out that asking them to fill in a 32 page workbook as part of our Career Review is a total no no.

If you are unclear where to begin either join our guest membership which is free or return the questionnaire on the home page for our feedback.
 The reasons are legion but include
  • burnout
  • wrong career path chosen pre med school
  • wrong specialty chosen ( career mismatch)
  • wrong practice chosen
  • difficulties with the demands of the role
  • changing priorities in life
  • a desire for a portfolio style career

The list goes on ( this is by no means the whole list).


Don't leave things - take action early

In many situations doctors leave career planning until the point when they are so disillusioned or stressed that the only option appears to be to leave. Why do people wait?
  • The prospect of making radical change is often very scary.
  • There is so much invested in the career
  • The thought of letting the status and security go is scary
  • There may be a sense of "I am not able to do anything else"

The thing to remember is that the changes needed may not be as radical as you think. And even if they are - following a tried and tested system of career exploration will ensure that you don't burn boats or make knee jerk decisions that could be frying pan to fire or ill judged.

Leaving career planning until one is feeling desperate is not a great idea as once a person is going down the slippery slope of stress, exhaustion, burnout, depression, disillusionment - this is not an ideal moment to spend constructive energetic time in career planning.

The key is to tackle career concerns EARLY and not wait until the candle is not only burning at both ends but the wicks have burnt to the middle!