As a mom and first-time parent, I marveled at my tiny daughter's curiosity about and interest in the world. Her quest for knowledge was insatiable and her ability to sit absorbed in what she was doing and the moment enviable. Now that she's 8 (“8 and a quarter, mom!”, said with a sigh and an attitude), she seems to have morphed into a smart, verging-on-sassy pre-tween who's beginning to think ...
Philippa Kennealy, MD, MPH
What Richard Branson can teach doctors
Part-maverick, part-unconventional, part-smart business owner Sir Richard Branson has business lessons to share in spades. Since I recently read his third autobiographical book Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur, I wanted to pass on some of what I learned from the book.Without knowing exactly why, I have long admired his acumen and chutzpah. His story has provided me insights into why I've been so drawn to his adventures in ...
To sell your practice or not: The decision facing most physicians today
I took my eye off the ball for just a little while, and guess what happened? When I looked again, I discovered that familiar solo practitioner or small group physician medical practices are on the verge of disappearing. Going the way of the dinosaur.At least, that's what the pundits are saying.In a recently published nifty newsletter, STAT Monthly, I read:
Primary care physicians and other specialists will ...
What is job satisfaction for physicians?
"I can't get no satisfaction," sang the Rolling Stones. And so it goes for many of the physicians who contact me.I was struck by the fact that the word "satisfaction" in connection with work was used in two separate conversations with physicians recently.It got me curious. Just what is job satisfaction?How is it defined by the folks who study this kind of stuff?And why is it so hard to come ...
Facebook Page or Facebook Profile, what doctors need to know
Now I am going to confess my bias – I am fast becoming a Facebook junkie! As an entrepreneurial physician who has to keep feeding and nurturing a business, I sense Facebook's huge potential and I'm eager to learn how to participate effectively in this brave new world.Both Twitter (an instantaneous but fleeting stream of chatter mixed in with pointers to valuable resources) and LinkedIn (a searchable Rolodex on steroids) ...
Physicians need to consider a digital resume
As a physician coach to doctor clients making the transition from clinical practice and seeking out new careers, I latched onto a recent article in the Los Angeles Times business section.Titled "Revive your Resume" by Emily Hughey Quinn, it hints at the death of the traditional paper resume. In its place is the digital resume you create on sites such as LinkedIn and VisualCV.Take special note - if you're a ...
How physicians can endure the trauma of a malpractice lawsuit
Several clients have endured the trauma of malpractice law suits, Medicare audits and stinging accusations or criticisms from patients or colleagues that leave them reeling.These clients have shared feelings of:
- shame
- despair
- depression
- loss of self-worth
- disillusionment
- confusion
- hurt
- defeat
Doctors need to confront end of life care
"Avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism"Recognize this phrase? It's from our Hippocratic Oath, the one I took, standing beside my newly assigned cadaver, in my second year of medical school."What Broke My Father's Heart", recently in the New York Times Magazine, is an exquisitely painful story of medicine and our Oath gone awry in the United States. I urge you to read it.End-of-life care is a ...
World Cup soccer lessons that doctors can use
Not being much of a soccer aficionado, I have nevertheless been captivated by some of the games in the 2010 World Cup Soccer. Probably has something to do with my being South African!While I hear many Americans bemoan the slow pace of the televised game ("boring!"), the low scores ("where's the action?") and the vuvuzelas ("irritating!"), I have been struck by lessons these matches have offered up for entrepreneurial physician ...
