Thinking outside the box 6 ways to be a physician without practicing clinical medicine Christopher Behringer, DO, says a mix of clinical and nonclinical work is his professional sweet spot. He shares the benefits of this approach and tips for others who are interested in it. April 30, 2024TuesdayMay 2024 issue Career Moves Christopher Behringer, DO Christopher Behringer, DO, is a family medicine physician who specializes in adult medicine and OMT. Contact Dr. Behringer
A quarter of medical students rarely see their friends, report finds Although sustaining friendships can be a challenge for anyone, medical students, especially first-years, are having a hard time fitting these relationships into their packed schedules.
How mindfulness has impacted me in both life and medicine Stephanie Lee, DO, writes about her experience with mindfulness, its many benefits and how others can incorporate mindfulness into their lives.
Thank you for the Thinking Outside the Box article. Engaging in nonclinical work enriches life experience and clinical work as well. May. 9, 2024, at 6:50 am Reply
A fulfilling life is focused on the journey, not it’s destination.Computization took this away from our passion,and love for patient care.Most of what I was told about computization was delivered through deception. May. 10, 2024, at 7:02 am Reply
Dear Dr Berhinger Very thoughtful article. One other persuit — Entrepreneurship. There are a few of is out there. Our idea a wearable pressure and force sensor for rehabilitation and wound care. My goal involves my training in Medicine and engineering. It’s totally engrossing and I certainly hope financially successful. Success takes many forms and just getting to the point of making a workable unit was tremendously satisfying. I hope all our colleagues can find an idea in which they can totally immerse themselves. May. 12, 2024, at 8:05 am Reply
Literally for decades my career in academic medicine offered an attractive and rewarding blend of clinical work, research, consulting educating, writing, and editing. Gradually that blend evaporated in parallel with the Rise of the Administrators, the demise of the physician chair as leader, mentor and cultivator and the conversion of an intellectually and emotionally rewarding workplace environment into an RVU-generating widget factory replete with templated EMRs heavy on volume and light on medical utility. Toss in healthy doses of DEI, legions of HR administrators and many hrs spent answering endless messages from pts requesting one to wage uncompensated and tedious battle with their insurers, and you have a recipe for…erosion of individual and collaborative creativity, professional collegiality/QoL and, ultimately, the joy and pleasure of working together with your peers for the common good. I have been a departmental chair twice. Would I do it again in this Not-So-Brave New World? No, thanks. May. 14, 2024, at 6:07 am Reply
“many hrs spent answering endless messages from pts requesting one to wage uncompensated and tedious battle with their insurers, and you have a recipe for…” making the physician a human shield between the patient and the insurance Co. The 2010 ACA and the rush to adopt EHRs made this skyrocket. In the 90s, we did prior auths often enough. Now that insurance Co’s are stingier with coverage, more expensive in premiums and deductibles, and docs are chained to “the inbox” (even during time off), there is an expectation that physician jump immediately and get the issue solved. This attitude fails to realize something: there is no perfect humaniform robot. That only exists in Asimov novels. The reality/irony is not lost on young people opting for STEM or business careers. May. 16, 2024, at 6:10 am Reply
Nice, but not emphasizing the fact that all we have came due to gifts of others: shelter, food, clothing, education…. Best outside activity: VOLUNTEER, even if nonmedical. I like packing food boxes at my local food bank, as well as reading ultrasounds for pregnancy centers. Matthew Werner MD May. 14, 2024, at 4:21 pm Reply
I love your way of thinking. There is much joy in giving back and sharing our gifts. Mentoring pre-meds has given me much joy. May. 18, 2024, at 6:33 am Reply
Your article is full of wisdom and practical advice. However, I take strong issue with the quote from your mentor, Philip Miller, who said, “…if the doctor is burnt out, there are no patients, only victims.” This statement victimizes the very physicians who are under stress trying to provide the best medical care possible in spite of the forces working against them. There is NO evidence that burnout is a danger to patients. It’s mostly a danger to physicians themselves that results in anxiety, depression, demoralization and, sometimes, tragically, suicide. Don’t demonize doctors that way. May. 15, 2024, at 1:40 pm Reply
This is all well and good, but how do you get compensated for all this extracurricular work? May. 18, 2024, at 4:40 pm Reply