The Doctor’s Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast

If achieving work-life balance proves challenging within your clinical position, transitioning to a medical director role at a benefit management company could offer a potential solution for you. Benefit management companies are involved with optimizing healthcare services, controlling costs, and improving outcomes for individuals covered under benefit plans.  Our guest today, Dr. Michele Cho Dorado, is a pediatric gastroenterologist and medical director. She is also a children's book author and founder of Bright Futures EDG. Dr. Cho Dorado will be sharing how and why she got into the role of medical director at a benefit management company, what her day-to-day work is like, qualifications for this job, typical compensation, and how you can pursue this type of role. You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode144   In this episode we’re talking about: Why Dr. Cho Dorado decided to leave her role as pediatric gastroenterologist How leaving her clinical role freed up mental space and opened new doors to creative entrepreneurial pursuits  How benefit management companies seek to optimize patient care, control costs and improve outcomes. Michele’s typical day in her current role Her perspective on peer-to-peer calls   How to know if you’d be a good fit for this role Compensation and qualifications for benefit management jobs   Links for this episode: Website: www.BrightFuturesEDG.com Email: info@brightfuturesedg.com Instagram: @brightfuturesedg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelecd/  

We all know that good communication is essential in medicine. From connecting with patients to interacting with colleagues, interpersonal communication is key to doing what we became doctors to do - treat patients. But as today’s returning guest Dr. Ryan Bayley is here to discuss, the wrong communication style can lead to significant consequences, including losing your hospital privileges, or even your medical license. Dr. Bayley will share how you can avoid these risks and protect your ability to continue practicing medicine.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode143   In this episode we’re talking about: Stories of physicians who faced disciplinary action  The hospital and licensure consequences physicians can face from poor communication Why standards for communication have evolved in recent years Avoiding controversial topics in the workplace How advocating for patients can lead to communication traps Ways to evaluate your own communication style to avoid potential problems Ryan’s helpful book, Physician Non Grata   Links for this episode: Dr. Ryan Bayley’s Website Physician Non Grata: A Survival Guide For Clinicians Around Poor Communication, Boundary Issues and, Disruptive Behavior, by Ryan Bayley MD Crucial Conversations - Tools For Talking When Stakes Are High Episode #138: Is Your Communication Style Helping Your or Hurting You? Stay connected to The Doctor's Crossing. Sign up for our newsletter to receive new episodes straight to your inbox, hear about special events and offers, and even recommend future topics for the podcast!

One of my career mantras is “fix it up before you give it up”. That’s because leaving medicine is a big deal, but burnout can have you looking for the fastest way out, which isn’t always the best option. In order to make the right decision for you, it’s helpful to do everything you can to make things better before leaving. In this revisited episode from my first season, interventional radiologist Dr. Robert Kanterman talks about the process he used to improve his situation before ultimately deciding that a career transition was the right move for him.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode142   In this episode we’re talking about: What made Dr. Kanterman initially consider a career change Why jumping out of the water right away may not be the answer How to re-evaluate your clinical role Whether a schedule or setting change can improve your career satisfaction Considering traditional vs. out-of-the-box nonclinical options, including opening up an ice cream parlor! How doing less and saying “no” can be a good thing The role of internal growth and exploration in making an external change   Links for this episode: Physician Transition Starter Kit - A “must have” when you’re questioning your career path. This 25-page guide answers many of your questions about career transition, nonclinical options, and how to just get started.

Deciding whether to stay in clinical medicine or leave is a high-stakes choice many physicians consider, and it’s important to know you aren’t alone in contemplating this million-dollar question. If you’re at the white coat crossroads, how do you know if you can find a way to be happier in medicine or if it’s time to leave? In today’s episode, we’re revisiting my very first podcast from October 2020 where I discussed a three-step process you can use right now to start answering this question. There is no one right answer to this question, but there is a right answer for you, and this episode is all about helping you find yours! You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode141    In this episode we’re talking about: Quantifying your current career happiness as a starting off point Why revisiting the path that led you to where you are is so important How fear-based thinking can muddy the career waters Evaluating the factors affecting your level of career happiness What needs to change for you to find career satisfaction How to give yourself a much-needed permission slip A little about when I was at the crossroads myself   Links for this episode: Download Carpe Diem Timeline - Chart your own timeline from when you decided to go into medicine to the current time. You can see the highs and lows and get a clear picture of your journey out in front of you. This helps you see patterns and gain clarity on where to go from here. I’ve included a sample of my own timeline and several templates you can choose from!  

While many physicians shift into nonclinical roles at the mid- or late-career stage, it’s not unusual for those as early as medical school or residency to be interested in exploring their nonclinical options. However, it’s common to have more confusion than clarity about this topic so early in the game. My returning guest today, Dr. Heidi Moawad, is a neurologist and writer who mentors medical students and residents. She’s here to discuss where to start when you’re considering nonclinical options, how to diplomatically gain insight and knowledge from mentors, and why delving into this topic early on can lead to better career satisfaction down the road.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode140    In this episode we’re talking about: Why considering all your career options early on is a great idea What motivates early career physicians to explore nonclinical roles How to approach nonclinical career hunting without getting overwhelmed The importance of networking when seeking nonclinical career guidance How to approach your mentors for nonclinical career advice Why LinkedIn is a great tool for career exploration Dr. Moawad’s book, Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine   Links for this episode:  Careers Beyond Clinical Medicine by Dr. Heidi Moawad Nonclinicaldoctors.com Dr. Heidi Moawad’s website Episode 33 - Top 4 Career Roadblocks with Dr. Heidi Moawad    

Let’s face it, physicians like to do things perfectly. However, the career change path is uncharted territory for most physicians, and unexpected challenges are bound to occur once we leave the one-size-fits-all road to a clinical career. While some mistakes along the way are inevitable, there are also important techniques you can employ to conquer obstacles during your career change journey. Today’s returning guest, career coach Dr. Karen Barnard, is here to discuss common mistakes along the career change path and what you can do to avoid and overcome them to achieve career happiness.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode139   In this episode we’re talking about: How signals from your body can be a red flag that you need a change The role of counseling or therapy in the career change process Why the security of a career in medicine isn’t always what it seems How to prioritize your needs after years of putting them on the back burner Why seeking the help of others is important when considering a career change The misconception that answers lie outside ourselves instead of inside Dr. Barnard’s personal experience with some of these issues during her own career transition   Links for this episode: https://drkarenbarnard.com/work-with-me/ Dr. Karen Barnard's website https://drkarenbarnard.com/resources/ Dr. Karen Barnard's list of resources Episode #81 - Are You In The Right Job For Your Enneagram Personality Type? Part 1 Episode #82 - Are You In The Right Job For Your Enneagram Personality Type? Part 2 The Physician Transition Starter Kit - A “must have” when you’re questioning your career path. This 25-page guide answers many of your questions about career transition, nonclinical options, and how to just get started.  

No matter your career path, being an effective communicator is an essential skill in any professional setting. Yet, most of us haven’t received any formal education in this area, despite our many years of training. To make matters worse, when poor or disruptive communication occurs in the healthcare setting, it can lead to disciplinary action for physicians. And communicating too passively (or not at all) can be problematic if important issues go unaddressed. Enter Dr. Ryan Bayley, emergency physician and coach who specializes in physician communication. Dr. Bayley will discuss the ABCs of effective communication (literally!) and offer practical tips for improving your communication style.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode138    In this episode we’re talking about: Why disruptive and passive communication styles are more similar than you think How communication expectations in healthcare have changed in recent years The discomfort with emotion that underlies communication problems How your personality type and communication style relate to each other The exercise Ryan uses with his clients to unpack their communication obstacles Steps you can take to communicate more effectively and achieve better outcomes Dr. Bayley’s new book on improving communication, boundaries, and behavior   Links for this episode: Dr. Ryan Bayley’s Website Physician Non Grata: A Survival Guide For Clinicians Around Poor Communication, Boundary Issues and, Disruptive Behavior, by Ryan Bayley MD Crucial Conversations - Tools For Talking When Stakes Are High

When you’re burned out and considering leaving clinical medicine, it’s natural to treat your career transition like a project that needs to be completed. After all, who loves a good checklist more than a physician? But the truth of the matter is that resolution of this complex issue doesn't always come quickly, especially when you’re at the end of your emotional rope. Today’s guest, internal medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Randall, is here to discuss how she got stuck in her career transition process, why finding a new path is more inner journey than outward search for answers, and the rewarding new role she found when she reconnected with her needs.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode137    In this episode we’re talking about: Why Dr. Randall chose medicine and how her personality type influenced this decision The progressive burnout Jennifer experienced that finally came to a head Why Dr. Randall starting seeing a therapist and what she learned from this process The steps Jennifer took to identify a new career path, including coaching How Dr. Randall realized she was hitting a wall in her career transition process The role of mindfulness and personal reconnection in Jennifer’s journey How Dr. Randall found purpose and fulfillment teaching the next generation of physicians  

If you’ve considered pursuing a leadership role, you may have wondered what it’s like to be a Chief Medical Officer, or CMO, and what exactly the day-to-day role entails. Look no further  because today’s guest, Dr. Serene Perkins, is here to answer your questions about all things CMO. Dr. Perkins is a surgeon who modified her clinical practice to find better balance and discovered her passion for physician leadership work along the way. Now Dr. Perkins is a CMO for a health plan in Alaska, and she’ll share why she loves her work and how to know if climbing the leadership ladder is right for you.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode136    In this episode we’re talking about: Why Dr. Perkins says the CMO is the glue that holds the organization together The most important personality traits for an aspiring CMO How a CMO advocates for physicians and improves processes Why Serene says no two days are the same in her job How Dr. Perkins manages conflicts when they arise What salary range you can expect for a CMO role How to build your leadership and management skills to become a CMO   Links for this episode: Crucial Conversations - Tools For Talking When Stakes are High American Association of Physician Leaders (AAPL) American College of Healthcare Executives Episode 134: Being A Physician Advisor In A Non-Hospital Based Role  Episode 105: Becoming A Physician Advisor - What’s the Scoop Free Resources - There are a number of high value, free career resources you can check out under the FREEBIES tab. A good place to start is the Physician Transition Starter Kit, a “must have” when you’re questioning your career path. You can also find a guide for rocking your interview, chart review tips, a time management resource, and more.

When you’re considering a nonclinical career, an informational interview can be an invaluable tool in your career change toolbox. Informational interviews can help you learn more about a specific role, build your network, and sometimes even lead to a job offer! However, it’s essential to know how to professionally handle each step in the process to get the most out of this helpful opportunity. In today’s solo episode, I’ll be sharing the 7 steps you need to know to prepare for, execute, and follow-up on your informational interviews to maximize their value.  You can find the show notes for this episode and more information by clicking here: www.doctorscrossing.com/episode135   In this episode we’re talking about: How to make the informational interview ask Deciding what you want from each conversation Letting go of expectations once you make the ask How to strategically prepare for the interview Choosing your questions wisely The importance of your approach to the conversation Why follow-up is so important for success   Links for this episode: LinkedIn for Physicians Course  Special for the month of June 2023 - 10% off with the code LinkedIn10.   This fun course shows you how to create a stand-out profile on LinkedIn and use the powerful features to advance your career goals. The short video lessons guide you step-by-step on how to grow your connections, network successfully, and search for and apply to jobs. Included are cheat sheets for each lesson, examples of physician profiles, and a bonus PDF on how to rock your informational interviews.