For a long time, clinical practice, lengthy residencies, and long hours in hospital settings have defined what it means to work in the medical profession. However, healthcare is evolving. As burnout among doctors rises, many doctors are looking for non-clinical careers that go beyond traditional patient care. According to Sermo community data, 26% of doctors cite emotional stress and burnout as the primary reason for leaving medicine, while 21% point to long hours and lack of family time.
“The number of non-clinical doctor job opportunities and careers is growing as the medical and healthcare field expands to incorporate technological advances,” shares a US Neurologist on Sermo. “Yet, the entryway for doctors into non-clinical jobs and career trajectories is not always clear or welcoming.”
Many doctors seeking alternative careers that leverage their medical expertise share this sentiment. They’re looking for new opportunities to grow and find fulfilment. As one doctor explained, “The idea of working in a non-clinical job has become more attractive and attainable for doctors. In the past, non-clinical work was usually reserved for highly accomplished senior doctors who would be promoted or recruited for executive and leadership roles within the medical field.”
A Sermo poll showed that 72% of doctors were not taught enough about non-clinical jobs during their medical training. This suggests that education on alternatives is lacking. This article will explore those options for doctors looking to improve their work/life balance, earn additional income, or change careers.
Benefits of non-clinical jobs for doctors
Better work-life balance
Clinical practice doesn’t offer much opportunity for work-life balance. Between irregular hours, overnight calls, and weekend responsibilities, the job can strain relationships and degrade personal wellbeing. Non-clinical doctor jobs often reduce these downsides, offering more predictable schedules, less burdensome on-call requirements, and improved flexibility. As one Canadian GP on Sermo stated, “I switched to a non-clinical job after COVID with less stress and better pay. I can sleep a lot better at night and am no longer ball and chained to an office.”
Less risk of being legally pursued
Even when medical professionals do everything right, the threat of a malpractice suit can loom large. For a doctor, non-clinical careers reduce the legal exposure faced by medical professionals significantly. Doctors who don’t see patients directly, such as those working in administrative, research, or advisory positions, spend less time worrying about the emotional and financial toll these types of lawsuits can take.
Greater variety and more engaging work
Non-clinical careers often bring a change of pace from clinical practice by bringing a different set of challenges and intellectual stimulation. Many doctors who make the switch find renewed enthusiasm for the medical field when they’re able to use their medical knowledge in novel ways. This variety can be a powerful tool in preventing burnout. “It is the balance of clinical and non-clinical work that maintains my sense of joy, perspective, and sustainability,” says one doctor on Sermo.
Alternative jobs for doctors: Explore all your options
Medical writing
Doctors have a combination of clinical experience and scientific understanding that makes them perfectly suited to create accurate, insightful medical content. They’re used to translating complex medical concepts into something more accessible for patients. By bringing these skills to a writing career, doctors can become valuable assets for medical journals, healthcare blogs, educational materials, and more. This is also something that can be done part-time, making it an excellent side gig for doctors who want to ease into a new career.
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Medical consulting
Their specialised knowledge and firsthand experience with the delivery of healthcare also make doctors excellent consultants. Medical consultants advise healthcare startups, law firms, insurance companies, and any other organisations that occasionally need medical expertise. They help with clinical matters, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning. In this role, doctors still have the power to influence healthcare, even without individual patient interactions. They stay on top of the latest trends in medicine to inform their decisions. This is a popular option, with 40% of Sermo doctors polled stating that they’ve taken on medical consulting as a secondary source of income.
Pharmaceutical industry
The pharmaceutical sector is another area where doctors can impact healthcare outside of clinical practice. In this industry, doctors work as medical science liaisons, clinical research doctors, or help with regulatory affairs. In these positions, they bring valuable clinical perspectives that aid in the development and monitoring of medication. Best of all, these roles typically offer great pay, regular hours, and the ability to do work that may benefit thousands of patients or more.
Telemedicine administration
Virtual healthcare has expanded rapidly as technology has advanced. This has created an opportunity for doctors who can develop and oversee telehealth programmes. Doctors with clinical expertise can help develop virtual care protocols, quality standards, and technological implementations. In doing so, they’ll be ensuring that these services meet the needs of modern patients.
Medical education
There will always be a need to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. Whether teaching at universities, developing medical curricula, or creating continuing education programmes, doctors who transition to medical education are able to shape the minds of future doctors. Working in this field allows doctors to maintain their connection to medicine while enjoying the intellectual stimulation that the academic environment provides.
Healthcare administration
Administrative roles require the exact type of experience and expertise doctors offer. As hospital executives, medical directors, or policy advisors, doctors can shape healthcare practices at a much higher level. The job has a lot of responsibilities, as administrators are responsible for maintaining the reputation of their organisation, but it also brings significant rewards. “Hospital administration is one of the non-clinical career options that doctors can consider,” notes a Sermo community member. “doctors coming from every medical speciality can take on hospital administrative and leadership roles, with varying types and levels of responsibility.”
Public health administration
Working with government agencies, international organisations, or non-profits, doctors can provide valuable input into public health initiatives. They can help with policy development, disease surveillance, and health promotion programmes. In these positions, doctors have the power to impact entire communities rather than individual patients. Often, they’re able to help resolve health inequities and systemic issues in ways that otherwise couldn’t.
Medical entrepreneurship
Sometimes, going into business for yourself is the best way to take control of your schedule. Doctors who have innovative ideas can combine those with their clinical insights to develop new healthcare products, services, or technologies. Doctors who have identified gaps in healthcare delivery can work towards solutions that improve patient care or provider efficiency. Although starting a business is a riskier career change for doctors than the other alternatives, it can be a very rewarding path for the right person. Those who already have experience with digital marketing from running a private practice can transfer those skills to launching their new venture.
Clinical research
A position in research is another excellent opportunity to advance medical knowledge while still working closely with patient care. By overseeing clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies or academic institutions, doctors can play a role in bringing groundbreaking treatments to market. At the same time, they’ll enjoy a more predictable life than clinical practice typically allows. The ideal candidate for clinical research will have strong analytical skills and an interest in evidence-based medicine.
Corporate wellness consulting
Today’s businesses are increasingly recognising the value of employee health. As a result, many workplaces are putting wellness programmes in place to improve productivity, reduce healthcare costs, and increase employee wellbeing. These programmes need expert consultants to help them assess their needs, design wellness initiatives, and measure how effective the strategies are.
Occupational Medicine
Another area where businesses rely on medical expertise is in occupational medicine. Doctors in this field help companies to address work-related injuries and illnesses. The occupational health sector combines clinical care with public health principles and corporate consulting. Doctors in these jobs often benefit from regular business hours and competitive pay, all while helping to improve the safety of dangerous workplaces.
Hospital Administration
Many doctors find fulfilment in hospital leadership roles that combine their clinical expertise with managerial duties. Those who have effectively run a private practice already have some of the necessary skills. “Some doctors who move into hospital administration jobs continue to see patients, while some transition into full-time executive roles,” explains a Sermo member. “Experience serving on committees can help prepare a doctor by exposure and experience with the administrative process and decision-making.”
Finding your path forward
For doctors seeking a medical career transition, there are several options available. Traditional jobs like medical consulting, pharmaceutical roles, and healthcare administration offer good pay and the ability to leverage clinical expertise. Telemedicine administration and medical entrepreneurship provide significant opportunities for growth.
Most doctors find they aren’t quite ready to fully give up patient care. A Sermo poll found that 88% of respondents find that combining clinical and non-clinical work provides the ideal balance. As one community member noted, “Caring for patients is highly satisfying for most doctors, who would never want to give that up.”
Considering a career transition? Connect with peers through Sermo’s community for insights, mentorship, and discussions about alternative careers for doctors from those who are working in them.