I'm an American, board-certified Internist who has left clinical medicine behind and would love to hear from others who have made career changes.

I had wanted to become a physician since elementary school, but from medical school on, I kept wondering when I was going to fall in love with my work. I searched and searched for that one specialty (both within and beyond Internal Medicine), practice setting (office practice, hospitalist, alternative medicine, third world medicine), and anything else with which I might feel a connection. After "settling" on an Internal Medicine residency, I used my elective rotation slots to explore every subspecialty possible, searching for that one great career fit. Nothing felt right.

After my Chief Residency year, I finally acknowledged and accepted how unhappy I was. The fact that I'd throw away all my medical journals immediately upon receiving them in the post was probably a good sign. It was extremely difficult going to work every day and being surrounded by so many phsycians who adore what they do. I felt like a misfit and that I was trying desperately to force a square into a round peg. I was being incredibly untrue to myself, putting on the facade that I enjoyed clinical medicine.

So, after some executive coaching, lots of reading and completing of career change exercises, I've made the plunge. I'm currently working as a big-gift fundraiser for a new breast cancer centre wing at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London (my husband was transferred to London last year and I used this as a great opportunity to initiate my career change). I can't express enough what a pleasure it is to wake up every morning and look forward to going to work.

The change wasn't easy. I face a weekly, sometimes daily, questioning of why I've made a change. Everyone is quick to offer their opinion that I'm wasting my talents and skills by leaving clinical medicine. I can honestly say that I felt my talents and skills were being wasted in clinical medicine. What I've learned most of all is that just because I'm good at something (and I am great at clinical medicine, at the risk of sounding immodest) doesn't mean I should be doing it, especially since it was making me miserable.

So, if there's anyone out there who has a similar story or is thinking about a career change, I'd love to hear about it!

Well, brava to you for finding the courage to be true to yourself! I'm so glad we *finally* have a woman doctor on these boards who has successfully transitioned out of clinical medicine. Being a doctor is good work if you love it, but (as I temporarily experienced after the birth of my daughter) a real drain when you don't!

Personally, I do love what I do (now), but if I had my way (and $100K to repay my loans) I would be doing this two days a week and planning parties on the weekends - or something creative. You're right, just because you are good at something doesn't mean you have to like it, nor does it mean you have to limit yourself to that one thing.

Thanks for posting Lena, we're glad to have you!

Lena, I wanted to say "Yes! Yes! Yes!" to every sentence in your post. I am a PGY-3 in PMR who has wanted to be a doctor since childhood but is still waiting to love, or even like, my job. But, as GracieThree knows, my situation is confounded by the fact that I have an 11 month old daughter at home. So I'm never quite clear on whether it is medicine I dislike, the lack of autonomy in residency, the idea of working full-time altogether, or all of these things. I'm a bit :rolleyes: confused. I've always secretly wanted to be an artist, but have never had the guts to pursue what my family calls, "a great Avocation, but not Vocation." As GracieThree knows (I've posted my woes in the Family and Parenting column), I'm sorting through a great deal of issues right now, but this issue of simply feeling like a fish out of water since medical school is slowly gnawing away at me...

I do feel that I need career counseling. As I'm a resident, the decision to leave is difficult because one always is advised to "keep options opion..." I am going to plug on with my residency to see if something sends me a bit more over the next few months. I'm wondering if breaking my cycle of negative thinking might do the trick...

Do you know of any websites or books that could help me investigate non-clinical career opportunities that could somehow make use of my M.D.? I'm having a tough time obtaining this kind of information, and I'm afraid it will be a while before I can get formal career counseling. I'd be happy to hear any off-the-top of your head thoughts

Thanks,
Katherine

P.S. Most importantly, CONGRATULATIONS

Hi Katherine,

I used a book called Leaving the Bedside (The Search for a Non-Medical Career) which is no longer in print but can be special ordered from Internet book sellers like Amazon. There's a section in the back that lists lots of non-medical options. Otherwise, What Color is Your Parachute is always an excellent general reference (has sold millions of copies over the years and is referred to as the career changer's Bible). Both books will help you take an objective approach to something that is obviously fraught with lots of emotion.

I had the same thoughts as yourself, Katherine, that maybe I didn't like my clinical work as a resident because of the lack of autonomy, working full-time, the thought of having to find a "real" job as a "real" doctor after residency, etc. During my Chief year, I gave it my last shot, hoping for some revelation and that all of a sudden, I'd love my job. I participated in a hospitalist practice (finally had patients of my own) and taught residents and medical students. During that year, I also had plenty of free time and lots of call-free nights and weekends.

You know what? I only became more and more unhappy. I was trying so very hard to fit into that "I like practicing medicine, am fascinated by my field and love treating patients" role but became more frustrated that it just didn't feel right.

Can I make some recommendations?

First, finish your residency. You're probably already committed to doing this anyway and it will make you more marketable in whatever you choose to do afterwards.

Get the two books I've mentioned above (or others similar to them, if you can find them). Do all the exercises in the books and really prioritize what you need in a job to make you happy.

I'm convinced you can find something in which you can use your artistic talents and still make a decent living. You may not be able to live as a starving artist, but there are other careers with creative and artistic outlets. Maybe you won't earn a salary to the level of a PMR specialist, but your hours and stress will likely be less and, most importantly, you will be on a priceless high of waking up each morning looking forward to going to work.

In my mind, practicing medicine was just a JOB, something I found barely tolerable and slogged through day after day. Now I've found myself a CAREER and am happier than ever. You can do the same!

Let me know how you do!

Wow!! Your message has just helped me reinforce that I am doing the right thing by wanting to leave Medicine and that I am not a freak!! I am going to keep looking until I finally find my place. Thanks!!!!