Making a major career shift is never easy, especially when you've dedicated decades to a profession that has become part of your identity. The decision to leave clinical medicine can be fraught with self-doubt, financial considerations, and the lingering question - what comes next? But at some point, the balance shifts, and the cost of staying outweighs the fear of leaving. In this episode, we explore what it takes to walk away from a stable medical career, redefine success, and craft a life that aligns with evolving priorities. Finally, we dig into strategies for managing stress, investing in personal growth, and finding fulfillment beyond the bedside.

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Guest bio: Dr. Patrick O’Malley is an emergency physician with nearly two decades of experience in community emergency departments and high-acuity urgent care. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, he has recently expanded into entrepreneurial ventures, including The Laceration Course, in partnership with EB Medicine. He helps moderate the EM Docs Side Hustle Facebook group, a community of over 3,000 emergency physicians exploring side gigs and alternative careers. Dr. O’Malley is dedicated to helping physicians explore new opportunities beyond the walls of the emergency department.

We discuss:

The Decision to Resign
Financial Readiness and the Role of Family Support
Looking Back on a Career in Emergency Medicine
Redefining Work-Life Balance
Transitioning to a New Identity
Investing in Yourself
Burnout, Coaching, and the Road to Change
Finding Joy in Medicine: Small Moments, Big Impact
Living Another Yesterday
Crafting Your Own Path: Empowering Clinicians
Newman and John Marks: Managing Stress and Calm

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I work with physicians to help them flourish in medical practice. If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or in trouble at work because of communication or conflict, check out our FAQ page for more info. Ready for real change? Book a discovery call. It’s free, low-pressure, and will give you clarity on your next steps.

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As physician coaches, my partner, Scott Weingart, and I have noticed a pattern: some doctors are thoroughly burned out, and some are on the path to burnout. Almost all were shortchanged in their medical training, having been molded into excellent clinicians but given virtually no tools for retaining joy and equanimity throughout their careers. This course will teach you the hidden anti-burnout curriculum.

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