This week, I want to discuss the process of making the decision to leave clinical medicine and create a new vision for your future.
If you're like me, you have reached the point where you realize that there is something wrong in your medical career. It’s not meeting the expectations you had when you chose it. Even worse, it has actually become destructive.
Working in the grind of "corporate" or "assembly line" medicine doesn’t feel right. You wanted a career that brings joy and fulfillment. Instead you're becoming more and more unhappy.
What has brought you to this point? Well - Consider these questions:
What inspired you to become a physician? How old were you when you made that decision? Has your career in medicine been anything like what you expected? If you were to describe your ideal life and ideal job, does it look ANYTHING like what your life looks like now?And what have you done to address the situation?
Have you spoken to someone, such as a mentor or the HR department about your dissatisfaction and tried to find a solution? Has that attempt already failed? Are there simple fixes that you've tried to implement, like working in a different department, or moving to a different group or system?It's likely that the requirements of current day medical practice in a corporate environment are not compatible with your vision, needs, or values.
Practicing high volume assembly line medicine is not satisfying to the physician OR the patient. Facing at least a 50% chance of being sued by a patient in your career, you might look at each as a future litigant, rather than a patient.
If you find yourself feeling these and other soul-crushing thoughts, then its time to say "I’VE HAD IT!" and move on.
I describe 3 reasons why today might be the day to finally scream "I've Had It! After that, you can get serious about pursuing a wonderful career that builds on your medical background.
For a transcript and links to resources mentioned in today's episode go to vitalpe.net/episode122
