Thursday, April 30, 2009

Interested in the EHR Industry?

If you're interested in working in the EHR (electronic health record) industry, it's important to stay current on different strategies that surround EHR selection. Make sure you take a look at this: EHR Partners Program

Nearing 550 Members!

We're quickly approaching 550 members in our "Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals" network. It's a great way to meet others who share similar interests and get connected. It wasn't that long ago when we reached 500 members (it was actually less than 10 days ago). So, if we continue to grow at this rate, then we could be bursting out at the seams in a few months! Invite your friends and colleagues to join so that we can collaborate and help each other find non-clinical opportunities.

Love to Write? Publish a Book


If you love to write, have you considered publishing a book? Now it's easy through a service called Lulu. I've never used it, but I think I'll use Lulu to publish my first book about my journey that brought me into the non-clinical world of healthcare.

Care to Share Your Story?


If you're a healthcare professional who has experience working in some type of non-clinical role, send me an e-mail if you'd like to share your story and have it posted on this site. I think our readers would enjoy hearing the story of your journey. Maybe your story will even get included in the book that I'm writing.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Harvard MS Degree in Health Care Management


The Harvard School of Public Health offers a part-time master of science degree in health care management: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/mhcm/

MS Degree in Health Care Management
  • Two Year Program
  • Three Weeks per Summer
  • Five Four-Day Weekends per Year
Part-time Master of Science Degree Program for Physician and Dentist Executives of Health Care Organizations.

Most (or maybe all) of the faculty are from the Department of Health Policy and Management. I sure miss Boston. Those were some of the best days for me. I would go back to Boston in a heartbeat.

How Much Does a Chief Medical Officer Make?


You can be a CEO overnight if you start your own business. However, you can't be a CMO overnight. According to Sullivan, Cotter and Associates, Inc., a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has a median base salary of $373,000 if you work in a healthcare system and a median base salary of $286,000 if you work in an individual hospital. That's just the base salary. Once you include other compensation figures, that number can be significantly higher. Are these numbers accurate? Surprising? What do you think?

I'm putting together something that will address some of the salary figures that are commonly found in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, so stay tuned.

Working for the HHS


You've probably heard that Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has been appointed as the next HHS secretary. So how do you work for the HHS? Begin by getting involved in politics and lobbying efforts. People are always at Capitol Hill trying to rally and get support for some type of health issue. Stay updated with the reports produced by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG). It's critical that you stay current with all the political issues that surround healthcare. You may want to get an MPH so that you can have a better population health perspective.

We're Up to 540 Members in Our Community

We currently have 540 people in our free "Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals" community. If you have an interest in non-clinical opportunities, I invite you to join. It's free to join and it's a great place to network with others who may have similar interests. Build your social network by joining now.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Top Business Graduate Schools for Physician Executives


According to Modern Healthcare's 2009 survey of graduate business schools for physician-executives, these five business schools are considered the "top" graduate programs for physician executives interested in getting an MBA, MMM, or MHA:
  1. University of North Carolina
  2. Virginia Commonwealth University
  3. Trinity University, San Antonio
  4. Carnegie Mellon University
  5. University of Michigan/ University of Missouri (tied for 5th place)
What do you think about this list? For the complete list of schools ranked by Modern Healthcare, click here. Note that all the schools that were ranked offer distance learning programs.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Coming Up Soon - Salary Questions Answered


I've had the chance to ask various questions to a few recruiters who have extensive experience working for pharma/biotech and corporations like McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group. One of the biggest questions that comes up is: "what types of salaries do these physicians make when they enter the corporate world?" There's no easy answer, but there are some "guidelines" that certain companies follow to maintain internal equity. As long as I don't get bogged down with stories on swine flu, I hope to get "part 1" of my "inteview with the recruiter" out this week. Image is from The Recruiters Lounge.

Business Opportunities in Health IT for Clinicians



There's an interesting article in BusinessWeek about Health IT (or HITECH if you prefer). If you don't get BusinessWeek, then you should consider subscribing. The world of EHRs (electronic health records) and e-prescribing solutions will experience a major change over the next several years. However, it's also good to make sure that you're about to go beyond the hype of digital health. This article talks about how the UK is currently four years behind schedule in its initiative to digitize its government-run health system. Where will the USA be in four years?

If you have a strong interest in medical informatics, but you're not sure where to begin, then start by learning more about some of the major players. Specifically, here are some of the really big companies to research:
The economic stimulus plan includes $19.6 billion towards health IT and hardware and software vendors will be thriving if they play their cards correctly and collaborate to provide the most effective EHR services. If you're thinking about a transition into the non-clinical world, then maybe you should subscribe to BusinessWeek and learn more about health IT.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Finding the Right Non-Clinical Opportunity

I had a nice chat yesterday with someone who decided that clinical medicine was not the right fit. This individual is currently looking for various types of opportunities and may have some opportunities within pharma. We chatted for a while and I really hope that he/she gained some insights from our conversation. I emphasized the value of social networking. I don't wish to disclose additional information about this person or get into details about this individual's reasons for leaving clinical medicine. This person did have residency experience, so that's always an advantage when one decides to pursue non-clinical opportunities. I always try to encourage medical students to give residency a chance before completely transitioning out of the clinical world.

Physicians and other healthcare professionals choose not to pursue clinical medicine for a variety of reasons. I'm happy to provide my insights that I've gained over the years through my personal experience and also through meeting individuals who now work in different types of non-clinical settings. If you'd like to correspond with me, I encourage you to join me on Twitter and send me a message via e-mail.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Non-Clinical Moonlighting


Moonlighting was both a movie and a television show in the late eighties. I never watched the TV series, but I often think about the life of physicians who do a lot of moonlighting. Many residents moonlight so they can pay their bills and enjoy some entertainment in their lives. I used to be the king of moonlighting when I was a resident. I lived in the hospital all the time. My sense is that there are a growing number of physicians who are looking for some non-clinical moonlighting.

So where do people begin? Busy clinicians want to spend time with their families and they don't want to be bothered at nights or the weekends. What types of non-clinical opportunities are best suited for those who wish to continue their day job and moonlight in the non-clinical world? I hope to provide some insights into some opportunities over the next week.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Opportunities in Medical Blogging

Read about some non-clinical opportunities in medical blogging: Medical Blogging Can Lead to $upplemental Income. If you enjoy writing and you want to earn some extra income, then you may want to consider starting a medical blog.

Freelance Medical Writing


What's freelance medical writing like? Imagine a life where you're working at home. You can wake up whenever you'd like. You can work whenever you'd like (assuming that you don't have too much in school loans or bills to pay). The best part is that you can actually wear your PJs while you're working (for some people, this may actually be a depressing thing). Sound enticing? What, you want to hear more?

The life of a freelance medical writer is not as picture-perfect as it may seem. Working from home isn't always easy, especially if you have a family. For some people, it's the perfect setting. If you have school-aged children, then you can work in an empty house while your kids are at school.

Before you consider a career transition from clinical medicine into medical writing, seriously think about a few critical things:
  1. What type of income do you need to make? Are you depending on your income for bills and other necessary expenses? Freelance workloads can be like a roller coaster ride (up and down, up and down).
  2. Are you disciplined enough to work completely independently? It's critical to always meet your deadlines.
  3. Are you a good writer? (you may laugh, but you'd be surprised to know that some very poor writers pursue a career in medical writing)
  4. Do you enjoy writing? If you think this would be a great hobby, think again (unless you don't need the income and you have the luxury to do this as a hobby).
  5. Finally, how are your computer skills? Modern medical writers need to be proficient with the computer. Gone are the days of typing on a simple word processor. Medical writers are expected to be quite proficient with Microsoft Powerpoint, Word, Excel, etc. Technology is playing a bigger part in the healthcare industry, so it remains critical to get familiar with things like mobile devices, laptops, and even smartphones.
So what do you think? Do you want to learn more about the intriguing career of a medical writer?

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Facebook Group: Physician Executives


If you're on Facebook, maybe you'd like to join the Facebook group called "physician executives." It's currently a small group of 69 individuals, but I'm sure it will grow. Log on and search for the group and you'll see that most of the members are physicians who either have an MBA or some other master's degree in medical management of administration. Leverage these social networking sites to your advantage by joining and meeting others who share common interests. Embrace Web 2.0 technology and join the free "Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals" network.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Did You Celebrate Earth Day Today?


It's Earth Day today! April 22. One of the required courses for my MPH was on environmental health. As toxins and other pollutants ruin the world, we need to find ways to improve the planet and reduce health problems. Celebrate Earth Day and support the "Green Generation" campaign that begins today. If you have a strong interest in public health, you may want to look for opportunities that focus on environmental issues that impact healthcare. There are many environmental problems that are worsening healthcare disparities in this country. Poverty-stricken areas are also hit with infectious diseases due to poor hygiene and other sanitation issues.

Non-Clinical Opportunities Published on the Student Doctor Network


Almost one year ago, I published a mini article on "non-clinical opportunities for physicians" on the Student Doctor Network (SDN). This has remained one of the most popular posts on the SDN and I'm thinking about posting something that is a bit more focused. Right now, I'm thinking about writing more about job opportunities for medical school graduates who never complete a residency. This is a frequent question that comes up and I think it may useful information for medical students who know they don't wish to enter residency and go into clinical practice. Stay tuned as I work on this piece.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Make Your Opinion Count for Something

We all have opinions. However, how do we voice them so that they are heard and documented? Clinicians often write letters to editors and publishers if they have a strong opinion about something. Most of us probably don't have the time to invest in things like that, so we may remain quiet and keep our thoughts to ourselves. What if you could get paid to express your opinions? Have you ever taken a paid survey where you get paid (no, not where you have to pay to take the survey, because that would defeat the purpose of the survey). For several years, I've had the opportunity to develop various educational surveys that are often linked with some type of an incentive. People want something for their time and I can respect that.

Well, did you know that there are many opportunities in the world of paid surveys? You can complete short, simple surveys and earn points. It's as simple as that. As you earn rewards points, you can them redeem them for various types of merchandise. If you're interested in joining or you want to learn more, click here. You may also want to tell a friend about these types of opportunities. Each time you refer a friend, you earn more points. It seems like many companies use this technique to motivate users to refer peers and colleagues within their network. Sermo does this, and several other sites do as well.

We've Reached 500 Members!


We've reached 500 members on our free "Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals" network. Many thanks to all of you who've taken the time to sign up and register. I hope you'll find the forum useful as you share your stories and experiences of various non-clinical opportunities. We have a mix of various healthcare professionals and I urge you to leverage this Web 2.0 resource to build and expand your social network. Now let's see how soon we can reach 1,000 members!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators


The Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI) has a simple mission: "To enhance the proficiency of pharmaceutical physicians and physician investigators, the Academy shall promote the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge concerning therapeutic action, investigation and development of medicines and diagnostics, and the protection of the welfare of patients and study subjects." There was an organization called the American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians (AAPP), but they folded into the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and formed the APPI. In other words, the former AAPP is now the APPI. Wow, can you keep up with all these acronyms?

Pharma and the Dark Side?


I don't work in pharma, but I know many people who do. Some academic clinicians like to joke and say that they've moved over to the "dark side." Why do they say this? Because they've usually moved from a relatively low salary to a much higher salary.

I personally don't like the implications associated with a generalization like the "dark side." When I think about the "Dark Side" in the movie Star Wars, I think about how Anakin Skywalker was tempted to move over to the Dark Side. What tempted him? Greed? No. Power? Yes. Filled with anger and hatred, Anakin wanted power and control. To me, that's the Dark Side. So, if you're an angry physician full of hate and you want to gain power and control by going to pharma, then you've gone to the Dark Side.

Like many corporations, there are good and bad things about working in the pharma industry. Is the pharmaceutical business world so corrupt that we can't trust that some people are operating with sound moral principles? We often forget that we'd have no life-saving drugs and cancer therapeutics if pharma companies didn't exist. This doesn't justify greed, but it does show that there is a need for drug companies to perform research and development. We need to find a way to reduce drug development costs in order to reduce overall drug prices.

Disciplinary Actions Against Physicians Up in 2008


Each year, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) publishes the Summary of Board Actions , which is a collection of disciplinary actions initiated by its 70 member medical boards. There are currently over 960,000 physicians in the United States. According to the summary report, in 2008, state medical boards took 5,379 actions against physicians, an increase of 60 actions over 2007.

The Public Citizen also produces a report and ranks different states:
Public Citizen’s Health Research Group Ranking of the Rate of State Medical Boards’ Serious Disciplinary Actions, 2006-2008 (HRG Publication #1868). A low ranking state identified by the Public Citizen often results in increased activity or funding for that state’s medical board.

Get ready for some acronyms now, because here are the professions regulated by a Board. I thought that you might find this interesting because you may not realize that all these healthcare professions are regulated by a Board.

AT-athletic trainer; ACU-acupuncturist; ANA-anesthetist assistant; AUD-audiologist;
BLD-biological lab director; CP-clinical perfusionist; CT-cosmetic therapist; CHI chiropractor;
CIS-cardiovascular invasive specialist; CPM-certified professional midwife;
CPP-clinical pharmacist practitioners; DO-osteopathic physician; DEH-dental hygienist;
DEI-dietician; ELE-electrologist; EMT-emergency medical technician; GC-Genetic
counselors; HAD-hearing aid dispenser; HYP-hypnotherapist; ICU-mobile intensive care
unit; LO-licensed orthotist; LP-licensed perfusionist; LPR-licensed prosthetist; LPED licensed
pedorthist; MA-medical assistant; MD-allopathic physician; MDX-MD X-ray
operator; MP-medical physicist; MR-medical resident; MT-massage therapist; MW midwife;
NA-nurse anesthetist; NAT-naturopath; ND-nutritionist; NM-nurse midwife;
NP-nurse practitioner; OT-occupational therapist; OP-optometrist; OTA-occupational
therapist assistant; ORT-orthotist; PA-physician assistant; PER-perfusionist; PT-physical
therapist; PTA-physical therapist assistant; POD-podiatrist; POL-polysomnograph
personnel; POM-Practitioner Oriental Medicine; PRO-prosthetist; RA-radiology
assistant; RE- registered electrologist; RN-registered nurse; RAT-radiological
technologist; RCP-respitory care practitioner; RET-respiratory therapist; RIT-resident in
training; RTL-radiological technologists limited; RPA-radiology practitioner assistant;
RRT-radiological technician; SA-surgical assistant; SL-speech language pathologist;
SLA-speech language pathologist assistant; SPA-Specialist Assistant

Search Engine Keywords: Last 30 Days


For the last 30 days, here are the top search engine keywords (according to Google Analytics) that are leading people to this site: http://www.nonclinicaljobs.com/
  • non-clinical jobs
  • non clinical jobs
  • non clinical jobs for physicians
  • non clinical physician jobs
  • non clinical opportunities
Traffic continues to grow steadily on this site and I want to thank those of you who visit regularly.

Anticipating Something New and Exciting this Week!


I'm anticipating some new and exciting changes to this site later this week (as long as everything goes as scheduled). I can't go into many details, but please stay tuned! If you follow me on Twitter, you'll be one of the first people to find out when it happens.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW)


Have you heard of National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW)? It's also known as "Lab Week" and it's starting today and it runs from April 19-25, 2009. The theme will be “Laboratory Professionals Get Results.” For more information, visit the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The field of pathology has many opportunities in non-clinical medicine for healthcare professionals. I knew several medical students who went into pathology because they didn't feel suited for patient interactions.

Coming Soon: Interview with a McKinsey Recruiter


If you're a medical student or a physician, do you know how to get into McKinsey? This is one of those FAQs that doesn't have a simple answer. Is it about your connections? Your business skills and experience? Your GPA? Do you need to have an MD/MBA?

In the near future, I'll be having an interview with a McKinsey recruiter who will provide some insight into this question. Stay tuned.

Join the FREE Non-Clinical Social Network


We currently have 487 members on the free social network titled, "Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals." My hope is that we'll reach over 500 members by the end of this month. There are many new and exciting things that I'm working on to help those of you who may be looking for new job opportunities, supplemental income, and career changes into the non-clinical world. For instance, there are many jobs in Health IT (information technology), but you may not feel like you have the right skills and training. I may be able to help you with that. Join the network and tell others about it.

Earn Money by Blogging


You've probably heard that you can make money by blogging. It's a great non-clinical opportunity if you enjoy writing. But how do you get started? What type of blog should you create? Can you make more if you write a medical blog? These are some of the questions that I often get asked.

Blogging can be a hobby (that may result in some supplemental income) or it can be a full-time career. There are people who have left six-figure salaries to go into full-time blogging. Remember the story about the nephrologist Arnold Kim who left his clinical practice to be a full-time blogger?

Blogging is a great option for retired physicians and other healthcare professionals who enjoy writing about different things. Keep in mind that the largest revenue generator are advertisements. However, there are other unique opportunities if you capture the right audience with your blogs.

To get started, I suggest that you use Blogger on Google. It's free and easy to create a Google account. Plus, after you create your blog, you can use Google Analytics to see what type of traffic you're getting on your blog.

Questions for a Pharma/Biotech Recruiter


If you've been interested in getting a non-clinical job in pharma (pharmaceuticals) or biotech (biotechnology), you may not know where to begin, especially if you've only been in clinical practice and/or academia. You may have questions that you want to ask, like "How do I break into pharma?" Some may wonder, "What type of qualifications are they looking for?" One frequent question is "Do I need an MBA?"

I have the unique opportunity of interviewing a seasoned pharma/biotech recruiter who has extensive experience working in HR (human resources) within some major pharma/biotech companies. This individual has also interacted heavily with various executive search firms (or head hunters if you prefer) and can provide some practical tips and advice for you if you're looking for a job in the pharma/biotech industry.

I'd like to give you the opportunity to ask your questions to this individual. Please either e-mail me your questions or post them as comments. Once I collect a handful of questions, I will post the responses in a Q&A format.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Small Healthcare Companies and Physician Entrepreneurs


Because of the recession, small healthcare companies are expected to grow over the next few years. Companies that focus on Health Information Technology (also now being called HITECH or Health IT) will gain the most momentum. The largest segment will be in the area of electronic health records (EHRs) or electronic medical records (EMRs).

I know several people who are starting new companies because they see a huge opportunity in today's economy. Do you consider yourself a medical entrepreneur who has a creative and innovative idea? If you were to start a healthcare company today, what would you focus on? Would you sell a service? A product? To be successful in starting and running a small business, you need people who have strong technology and computer skills. In moden times, gadgets like smartphones and BlackBerry devices are becoming more essential for people to stay connected. If you're considering a move into the non-clinical sector, get familiar with mobile technology and strengthen your business skills.

JOBS! (Coming Soon)

I've been approached by many clinicians who are looking for full-time and part-time non-clinical jobs. As a result, I've decided to leverage my personal contacts in the healthcare industry to provide a platform where employers and employees can come together. Stay tuned...

Join the free network of non-clinical healthcare professionals to receive updates.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Are you Attending Health 2.0 in Boston?

I really miss Boston. I wish I could be there for Health 2.0
Here are some of the companies listed on the agenda:
  • Health 2.0 Advisors
  • Myca/Hello Health
  • Philips
  • Optum Health
If you're thinking about non-clinical medical opportunities, you may have the chance to meet people by attending Health 2.0 and networking with some of the key leaders in this industry.

Health 2.0 Meets Ix
April 22-23, 2009
Boston Park Plaza Hotel

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Looking for a New Career Opportunity?

If you're thinking about a new career opportunity, you may be looking for resources that point you in the right direction. Maybe you know someone who has lost a job and needs to find work, but you don't know how to help. Maybe you even know some people who are completely switching industries and they're thinking about a healthcare-related vocational career like nursing. In the world of healthcare, there are many jobs that are currently available for people who have the right education and training. Do you know what it takes to get into medical billing? What if you wanted to become a nurse or a pharmacist? There are also many opportunities for pharmacy technicians. Would you know where to begin? Maybe you've been thinking about going back to school and you're looking for some information about educational programs.

What is the median hourly rate for medical billing managers? It seems to range between $15 to 18 according to PayScale. You can find this time of information at Train4VocationalCareer. At this site, you'll find information ranging from vocational careers for adults to various educational programs. You'll even find information about teaching and healthcare programs. Many schools now offer online programs for nursing and other healthcare fields so that you can study and maintain a flexible schedule. The need for healthcare workers is only going to grow, so the opportunities are out there for people who wish to switch careers of find a new one.

Thinking About a Business Degree?

Healthcare professionals (especially physicians) who are interested in non-clinical careers often have a strong interest in business. However, they also frequently lack proper education and training in business. How many business majors do you know who went to medical school? Chances are, most of the people who were pre-med were either biology or chemistry majors. Business degrees can improve your market potential and also increase your salary if you find the right position. If you don't think you have time to pursue a business degree, keep in mind that many programs allow you to take a single course at a time. This way, you can take your time and get an MBA over several years. If you're not in a rush, this may be a good option.

I've always wanted to pursue an MBA. In fact, I'm seriously thinking about taking some courses this fall. I need to look at my workload and my schedule to see if this makes sense. I just finished my MPH last year and I would like to have a little break from studying, but if I'm going to take my time to get a business degree, then I'd like to start sooner rather than later. I've been collecting information from several different business schools and researching my options. If I don't start this fall, then I may begin some courses next year.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Bio Pharma Career Fairs

There are several different BioSpace career fairs coming up in bio/pharma. If you've been interested in a non-clinical medical career, then you may want to visit one of these events. If you're a student waiting to graduate, you may find some exciting opportunities at these events:

BioCapital Career Fair
Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 11am to 4pm
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland

BIO Career Fair
Monday, May 18, 2009, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Georgia World Congress Center
Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom
Atlanta, GA

For more info, visit: http://www.biocareerfair.org/

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Dr. Kim's Blogging Network

I've diversified and I now have several blogs that I should lump into "Dr. Kim's Blogging Network."
There are thousands of people out there named "Dr. Kim" so imagine what this network would look like if I went to all of them and included them in the list?

I'd love to have Dr. Arnold Kim and his http://www.macrumors.com on my list. He's probably the most famous Dr. Kim who has a blog.

Then, you have Dr. Kim the chiropractor who keeps a blog here: http://drkimsf.com/blog

You may have even seen Dr. Kim Okamura's blog titled, "Dr. Kim's Blog" about dentistry here:
http://www.kimokamuradds.com/dr-kims-blog/

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Health Industry and the Stock Market

So much is changing in the healthcare industry. Have you spoken with your stock broker? If you're like me, then you probably try to do everything online. I'm a big fan of Online Trading. Why? Because it's so convenient and you can easily make changes easily by getting on a computer and logging in to your favorite Online Broker. It's easy for me since I'm always carring some type of computer around (usually an ultra-mobile PC that is connected to the Internet). The Internet has simplified so many things, including Stock Trading. It's hard to imagine what the world was like before we had the World Wide Web.

Who do you use to trade Stocks, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs and Fixed Incomes? Pharmaceutical companies are merging, others are downsizing to reduce costs. Pfizer is merging with Wyeth. Schering-Plough is merging with Merck. Roche is aquiring Genentech. This may not be the best time to leave a job in clinical medicine to join the folks in pharma. With all these mergers and acquisitions, Stock Trading must be going crazy these days. The stock market has been in a downhill tumble and no one seems to know what's going to happen in the market. There is so much uncertainly about the current economy. What services or tools do you use for Online Trading?

MedicalSmartphones.com

I've registered a new URL: MedicalSmartphones.com

I've been an avid PDA/smartphone user for many years. During medical school and residency, I used to provide advice about these devices. I've been blogging about it for a while, but now I want to keep a dedicated blog about this topic. I hope you'll visit and find some useful information.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Health 2.0 Meets Ix

The Health 2.0 Conference and the Center for Information Therapy (Ix®) are having their first joint conference this year. It's coming up in a few weeks in one of my favorite cities: Boston, MA. April 22-23, 2009 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. How do you define Health 2.0? As this industry grow, more and more jobs and opportunities are becoming for clinicians who wish to shape the future of Health 2.0

Happy Easter!

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Easter today!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Is HITECH the new Health IT or HIT?

You can blame President Obama for the phrase HITECH. Since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) calls it HITECH, is that going to be the new buzzword for health information technology? The problem with HIT is that it's not a unique acronym. It looks like a word - Bobby hit the ball. Health IT will probably continue to be used since we refer to general information technology as IT and that's not going to change. Perhaps the real question is: will the phrase HITECH actually catch on and become a mainstream phrase? These are the things I often wonder about as I sit at home and drink a glass of wine.

Health IT is an Integral Part of Healthcare Reformation

We will probably see some significant changes to the healthcare system in the next few years. The big push is on Health IT or HITECH, so let's see how doctors and other clinicians adopt to all this change. We all know that Health IT will play a major role in healthcare reform. The bigger question is: how will clinicians adjust to the changes in medicine and technology? Will they become more productive or will they reluctantly adapt so they don't get penalized? There are non-clinical jobs in health IT for clinicians who have that level of interest. Are you qualified?

Friday, April 10, 2009

Pfizer Oncology: Martine J. George, M.D., M.Sc

Pfizer announced the appointment of Martine J. George, M.D., M.Sc, to Vice President of Medical Affairs for its Oncology Business Unit. Dr. George received her M.Sc in Pharmacology from Montreal University and her M.D. from Paris University. Her industry experience includes companies like J&J, Ortho Biotech, Novartis, sanofi-aventis, and more.

Because the pharmaceutical industry is really an international business, there are opportunities even in the United States for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) / international medical graduates (IMGs). In order to climb the corporate ladder, you have to have strong business skills and excellent people skills. If you're an FMG or IMG interested in non-clinical opportunities, build your social network so that you can find the right types of opportunities.

Blumenthal and HITECH in the NEJM

If you get the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), you may have seen David Blumenthal's article about Health IT (or HITECH) in the April 9, 2009 edition. It's a Perspective titled, "Simulating the Adoption of Health Information Technology." If you have any interest in health IT, then you should read this article. It's a short article - just a few pages long.

What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street-Smart Executive

I'm going to start keeping a reading list of the books I hope to read in 2009. I had a really interesting phone conversation with a physician on the west coast this morning. As we started talking, our conversation drifted to the book titled, "What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street-Smart Executive." I haven't read it, but I'd really like to. Therefore, I'm adding it to my 2009 reading list and I'll probably get it from Amazon. Thanks to Sermo, I have some Amazon gift certificate credit that I need to use.

The author is Mark H. McCormack and ironically, he didn't actually attend HBS (Harvard Business School). Instead, he was a Yale-trained attorney. But was he qualified to write such a book? Absolutely! He is considered the Pioneer of Sports Marketing and he died in 2003. He was an entrepreneur with a lot of street smarts and we can all probably learn a lot from him.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Making the Non-Clinical Transition

I often get asked, "how do you make the transition into the non-clinical world? Isn't it risky?" The answer is that change can be risky. But, you have to be certain of your talents and interests. If you find yourself very dissatisfied working in clinical medicine, then ask yourself why you're dissatisfied. I try to encourage people to look for another opportunity in clinical medicine where the work-life balance might be a better fit. Many physicians who wish to leave clinical medicine are simply burned out and they need a break. If that's you, then make sure you take a break and be comprehensive as you plan your future. It's important to remember that it can be very difficult to re-enter clinical medicine after you leave.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

UltraMobileHealth.com

I secured a new URL today: http://www.UltraMobileHealth.com/

I've been writing about UMPCs (ultra-mobile PCs), netbooks, MIDs, PDAs, Smartphones, iPhones, iPods, tablet PCs, and other mobile devices for a while now. I thought it was time to get a new URL for my old blog that focuses on these gadgets and mobile technology in healthcare. Welcome to the world of cloud computing.

Becoming a Physician Entrepreneur

Do you consider yourself a physician entrepreneur? How does one become an entrepreneur? Most medical schools don't teach much about business skills. As a result, medical school graduates know very little about entrepreneurship. Yet there are many young entrepreneurs who are making a tremendous impact in the healthcare industry. For instance, health IT is a budding area that will only grow as more dollars get directed into electronic health records (EHRs) and other health IT initiatives.

MIT recognizes young
entrepreneurs by featuring those who are under the age of 35 in the Technology Review TR35. The categories include: biotech, nanotech, infotech, and energy. That makes sense since MIT is about technology. If you wish to learn more about being an entrepreneur, then you may want to check out the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

7th Annual MD/MBA Conference


7th Annual MD/MBA Conference in Dayton OH
When: April 17-19, 2009
Where: Wright State University School of Medicine and College of Business
Want to learn more about this event? Click here.

You may think that most people who pursue a combined MD/MBA plan to pursue non-clinical careers, but that may not be true. An MBA can be very beneficial to help you run a more efficient practice or hospital. If you stop to think about it, medical management is really a form of business administration, so if you're properly equipped, you'll be better at it.

HIMSS Virtual Expo 2009

HIMSS is winding down and if you weren't able to go to Chicago this year, then you can still experience HIMSS by attending the Virtual Conference Expo this June. I attended the virtual expo in 2008 and made some great connections, attended some virtual meetings, and had the opportunity to expand my network. Health information technology is changing the way physicians are practicing medicine and I think we're going to see some significant movement in 2009 and 2010. Everyone is anticipating major changes in 2009, but we're already in the second quarter. Stay tuned and keep up with everything going on in the health IT world.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Many Questions Related to Residency and Non-Clinical Careers

I've received quite a few questions recently on the Student Doctor Network about residency, clinical medicine, and careers in non-clinical medicine. Here's the bottom line: you'll have many more career opportunities if you complete a residency and become board-certified in a medical or surgical specialty. Of course, if you're stuck in the middle of a very long residency and you really don't enjoy your work, then you may want to consider switching to a shorter one. You can still find opportunities if you don't complete a residency, but make sure to do your research so that you understand your options.

Also, you don't need an MPH or an MBA to succeed in the non-clinical world. Although these degrees help, they aren't necessary.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

HIMSS 2009 Chicago

How many of you are enjoying HIMSS in Chicago? Microsoft is heavily involved at HIMSS (have you checked out Microsoft Surface yet?)

There are some great topics this year, especially with so much buzz around health IT driven by talks about economic stimulus. We've heard so much about this from President Obama. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed by President Obama on February 17, includes $19.2 billion for healthcare information technology (health IT). This means that there are many pieces to this gigantic pie for different companies raning from small and large corporations. How do you plan to contribute to the health IT revolution?

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Joining Government with Industry to Discuss Health Issues

What happens when you combine government with industry to talk about health issues related to quality of care, compliance, cost, and partnerships? You end up with roundtable reports published by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA). They have some recent roundtable reports where industry representatives discussed some important quality and compliance issues with the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG).

The most recent HCCA/OIG roundtable report is titled:

A Report on the HHS Office of Inspector General and Health Care Compliance Association Roundtable on Hospital Board of Directors’ Oversight of Quality of Care
Driving for Quality in Acute Care: A Board of Directors Dashboard

Past HCCA/OIG roundtable reports include:

A Report on the Office of Inspector General and Health Care Compliance Association Roundtable on Long-Term Care Board of Directors’ Oversight of Quality of Care
December 6, 2007

A Summary of the Government-Industry Roundtable on the
Role of Governance in Compliance Programs
June 16, 2004, Office of Inspector General

HCCA/OIG Rountable Report
Building a Partnership for Effective Compliance
July, 2001

HCCA/OIG Physician Roundtable Report
Building a Partnership for Effective Compliance
July, 2000

CIA Survey
August 2001

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Consulting for McKinsey or the Boston Consulting Group

It seems like many students who pursue a joint MD/MBA want to get a consulting job at McKinsey & Company. Who wouldn't? I've known several people who have worked at McKinsey and I'm always fascinated by the unique stories associated with the McKinsey culture. I've also met medical school graduates who have pursued opportunities at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG, not to be confused with the BCG vaccine). So what about you? Do you have strong interests in the business/consulting industry? If you're pre-med, are you planning on pursuing an MD/MBA program? As I look back on my education, I often wonder whether I would have pursued a combined MD/MBA. Since I lacked "real world" working experience before applying to medical school, I think I would have been lost in business school. Had a been a non-traditional student who had worked for several years prior to applying to medical school, then I would have seriously considered a combined MD/MBA program.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Top Content in March 2009

According to Google Analytics data, the most frequently visited page is: Non-Clinical Medical Opportunities for Physicians and Other Clinicians. Not too surprising. People who visit this site are also looking for information about master's programs, especially MBAs. One common assumption is that you need to have a master's degree to be successful in the non-clinical world. This isn't true, especially if you have strong people skills and management experience.