One gastroenterologist shares her experience transitioning from various practice settings during her career and offers words of advice for other GI physicians considering a career move.
Ask a Gastroenterologist is a weekly series of questions posed to GI physicians around the country on business and clinical issues affecting the field of gastroenterology. We invite all gastroenterologists to submit responses.
Next week's question: What are some of the best ways for gastroenterologists to collaborate with physicians in other specialties?
Please submit responses to Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com by Thursday, Sept. 3, at 5 p.m. CST.
Patricia Raymond, MD, FACG, Gastroenterology Consultants (Virginia Beach, Va.): I am a gastroenterologist, currently practicing as an employee with a group in Virginia Beach. I was a partner in a different group for 10 years, an employee with my current group for two years, then in solo practice for five years and then back to my current group.
My advice: Be unafraid to move. I thought that the first group would be my only, like a first marriage. But when the stresses of being with that group (personality conflicts), the best thing I could do for myself was moving on.
I enjoyed my solo practice, but closed it when I discovered that I adored practicing GI, but not managing a GI practice (and after I imprisoned my office manager for 3 years for embezzlement).
It's not all roses being an employee physician, however, the group personality is good, their level of medical care is solid, and I'm enjoying my GI practice.