If you could go back in life...

If you could go back in time and make different decisions, what would you change? Many of us may have some mistakes that we now regret. For others (like primary care physicians), they may choose a different medical specialty. Would you choose an entirely different career? Maybe you'd actually pursue your dream to be an astronaut.

Many physicians choose to transition to a non-clinical career because clinical medicine just doesn't end up being what they had pictured when they were in medical school. Young students tend to be so idealistic. Many quickly lose empathy and compassion and they get jaded and turn cynical. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? The reality is that the harshness of internship and residency can change good people and erode the passions that drove people to become compassionate physicians. Wow, this is starting to sound really depressing, so let me return to my original question. If you could go back in time and change some of your decisions, would you:

• Choose a different specialty?
• Go to a different college?
• Study harder? Less? Spend more/less time socializing?
• Take some business classes and mix them in with your pre-med courses?
• Get an MBA?
• Spend more time with your kids?
• Start a blog?
• Write a book?

There's probably still time to make some changes in your life. Many who have transitioned from a clinical career to a non-clinical one comment, "I should have done this sooner." As time continues to move forward, do you think you'll be one of them?