This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.
As a new retinal physician, moving from medical school to residency and fellowship, you quickly incept that “life after training” requires the major decision of selecting your first job. Not only is this choice difficult due to incomplete information, but it will also have significant ramifications for your career and the life of your loved ones. Here, I offer a few key considerations when searching for the right fit after training.
THE RIGHT PRACTICE
The prevailing myth is that selecting the proper practice concerns a binary-only selection between academic and private. Unfortunately, this is both untrue and limiting. There are many opportunities for young retina specialists, including academic, hospital-based, private, industry, government, and private equity options. Moreover, practice type is compounded by variables, such as retina-only versus multispecialty, teaching responsibilities, research opportunities, partnership potential, and compensation incentives.
The key to finding the right practice fit for most young retina specialists will be rooted in honest feedback from knowledgeable parties. An honest discussion with physicians in the practice you are considering, as well as retina specialists who may have left, is a bona fide approach toward deciding (also: “a decision”) with the greatest fidelity to your ideal outcome.
THE RIGHT PLACE
When deciding on a location, two major decisions are required. First, what is your geographical preference: northeast, Pacific northwest, midwest, mid-Atlantic, southeast, southwest? Second, what type of setting do you find favorable: rural, urban, small city, major metropolis?
Ultimately—and without hyperbole—the most critical factor when considering the right place is the impact on your loved ones and family. If you are single and unattached, the right place can be unilateral to your preferences. Contrastingly, when considering others, you need a practical approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for your partner, children, and extended family.
It’s worth noting that not all states are equal in malpractice insurance, taxation, and tort reform, and these factors must be considered. Additionally, the most common error I see young physicians make after training is neglecting the impact of commuting and travel to satellite offices. The right place will quickly lose its shine when you find yourself constantly traveling to—and from—it.
THE RIGHT TIME
Timing is the crucible of consequence. No matter how fantastic a job offer is, if your schedule is anachronistic to your preferences—clinic, surgery, research, administrative schedules you envision conflict with the practice's needs— your timing will be incorrect. Further, items like licensing, credentialing, and insurance reimbursement can easily take 3 to 6 months, so you need to address these as early as possible to align them with your goals. If the right practice and right place are the buns of a sandwich, then the right timing is the jelly that holds it all together.
THE BIG THREE
In conclusion, the right fit requires the right practice in the right place and at the right time! Being comprehensive and cognizant of these critical factors will clarify the successful transition to life after training. NRP
