Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

What bored doctors can do after they retire

Michael Woo-Ming, MD
Potpourri
July 19, 2010
41 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

As the baby boom generation nears retirement, there will be a flood of doctors left wondering what to do with their time. Some doctors will continue to work in practice and, although it is certainly rewarding to work hands-on with patients and new staff, after 30, 40, or 50 years in the business many start to explore other options.

The motivation that drives one to medicine often stays with them for the rest of their life. Altruism is a difficult thing to suppress and for this reason a lot of doctors feel unfulfilled with the traditional notions associated with retirement. Playing golf, fishing, relaxing by the beach, and reading are certainly well deserved rewards for years of hardship and sacrifice, but after time they may ring hollow. However, there are other options rather than returning to practice.

One popular option doctors can explore is to write a book. Writing can provide a new source of income, can be done at one’s leisure, is a good way to stay involved in the medical community, and is emotionally satisfying. There are two veins to explore when considering writing a book.

First, you can write a book on medical conditions that the public is interested in (autism is a big one right now). Cater the information to the public so it can be easily understood and address the topics they want to know about. For example, if you decide to write a book exploring autism you would want to include chapters on supposed causes, the effects of vaccines, mercury in vaccines, and glutin-free casein-free diets. Also, in this example, pairing up with a behavior therapist to include chapters on behavior modification would make the book even more appealing to readers.

You could also use your expert knowledge to write a guidebook for medical students and graduates. These guidebooks could cover such topics as enrolling in medical school, how to survive medical school, how to get in to the residency programs you want and how to apply for positions after graduation. Also, if you have niche knowledge in one specific area of focus consider writing a report or guide to pass that knowledge on to younger doctors. If you live near a medical school another idea would be to spend time coaching or tutoring struggling students.

All the knowledge and skills a doctor accumulates throughout their years in practice leads to an invaluable treasure trove of wisdom. Retirement is the perfect time to pass this information along to the public or to a younger generation of physicians.

Michael Woo-Ming is a physician-entrepreneur who blogs at IncomeMD.

Submit a guest post and be heard.

Prev

Prior authorization required by health insurers impedes primary care

July 19, 2010 Kevin 25
…
Next

USA Today op-ed: Physician burnout harms patients

July 19, 2010 Kevin 22
…

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Prior authorization required by health insurers impedes primary care
Next Post >
USA Today op-ed: Physician burnout harms patients

More by Michael Woo-Ming, MD

  • Why physician-owned businesses need our attention and support

    Michael Woo-Ming, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    4 tips for using social media to attract new patients

    Michael Woo-Ming, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Physician reputation management starts in the office

    Michael Woo-Ming, MD

More in Potpourri

  • What it takes to be called a great doctor: a patient’s perspective

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Your audience deserves the best: Consider Physician Speaking by KevinMD to highlight your event

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Physician keynotes at TexMed 2019 and the 2019 ASPR Annual Conference

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Welcome to your new career center!

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Physician speakers are ready to highlight your conference: Spring 2018 update

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Consider the @KevinMD keynote experience for your event

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
    • When physicians are disrespected [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

      Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD | Conditions
    • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Discover the power of patience

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

      Kim Downey, PT | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Novavax's Updated COVID Shot Authorized by FDA
  • SBRT Noninferior to Conventional RT for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer
  • Mixed Bag for Early Metformin in Gestational Diabetes
  • FDA Advisors to Consider DFMO Maintenance for High-Risk Neuroblastoma in Kids
  • Adding Tirzepatide to Basal Insulin Cuts HbA1c in Poorly Controlled T2D

Meeting Coverage

  • SBRT Noninferior to Conventional RT for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer
  • Mixed Bag for Early Metformin in Gestational Diabetes
  • Adding Tirzepatide to Basal Insulin Cuts HbA1c in Poorly Controlled T2D
  • Low Relapse Rates With Twice-Yearly Schizophrenia Treatment
  • Menopause Can Negatively Affect Women's Careers
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

      Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD | Physician
    • A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

      Ruhi Saldanha | Conditions
    • Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

      Anonymous | Physician
    • COVID-19 unleashed an ongoing crisis of delirium in hospitals

      Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, MD, Nathan Stall, MD, and Paula Rochon, MD | Conditions
    • Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

      Shreya Aggarwal, MD | Conditions
    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • The erosion of patient care

      Laura de la Torre, MD | Physician
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • America’s young men are facing a mental health crisis. Can we help them before it’s too late?

      Henna Hundal and Karan Patel | Conditions
    • When physicians are disrespected [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Addressing dual diagnosis needs in addiction treatment

      Susan Hertz Berrick, EdD | Conditions
    • The essence of health narratives, including poetry

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Discover the power of patience

      Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Doctors rediscover joy in practicing medicine, on their own terms

      Kim Downey, PT | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...