Working From Home Part II – Telemedicine

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

Imagine you are in your kitchen, enjoying your morning cup of coffee, catching up on the news. In a few minutes you will walk down the hall to your study and start helping your first patient of the day – on the computer!

Last week, in Working From Home Part I, I discussed doing Chart Reviews. In today’s post, I will address the growing opportunities for physicians doing Telemedicine.

With all of the advances in digital information and communication, telemedicine is an up and coming area for healthcare growth.

More and more companies are springing up that offer telehealth services for minor, primary care health issues.

A physician working for such a company is provided electronically with the medical records and chief complaint for the patient. The “patient visit” will take place either via email or over the telephone. Sometimes only advice and information is given, other times a prescription may be recommended. If the doctor feels it is indicated, the patient will be referred to seek medical care in person.

Working From Home Part I – Chart Review

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

I’m hearing from more physicians who want to work part-time from home. The reasons vary: more time with the kids, a less stressful environment, greater job flexibility and some extra income.

With advances in communication technology and the availability of digitalized information, the opportunities to work from home are increasing in many professions, including healthcare.
While the electronic medical record may be challenging for a variety of reasons, it is providing more options for physicians to work in the comfort of their own home. Two areas that are a natural fit for this type of work are doing Chart Reviews and Telemedicine.

Today, I will be discussing Chart Reviews, and in Part II, I will cover Telemedicine. Chart Reviews, also called Independent Reviews, provide a third-party evaluation on a matter relating to patient care.

Upcoming Harvard Coaching Conference

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

If you are interested in Wellness or Leadership Coaching, consider attending the upcoming conference presented by the Institute of Coaching at Harvard:

Fourth Annual Coaching in Leadership and Healthcare Conference

Date: October 21-21, 2011
Location: Boston Massachusetts

This is a great opportunity to find out more about the field of coaching and network with coaches experienced in wellness and lifestyle medicine coaching.

The following is from the Institute of Coaching’s website:
“This year we will have four tracks:

1. Leadership
2. Positive Psychology
3. Health & Wellness
4. Advanced Coaching Practice

Professional coaching as a non-clinical career for physicians

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

Want To Become A Certified Coach? How To Test The Waters First Without A Major Commitment

More physicians are becoming interested in using coaching skills to complement their clinical work. And a small but growing number are transitioning to full-time coaching. Wellness coaching is a popular choice for physicians, but there are many niches open to doctors. Some of the more common coaching specialties are:

• Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine
• Work/Life Balance
• Leadership
• Business
• Career

If you think coaching might be a good fit for you, there are ways to explore this direction without committing significant time and money.

Overcome The Fear of Public Speaking And Enhance Your Career: Part II

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

In Part I of this post, I discussed how honing your speaking skills can benefit your career. A year ago I joined my first Toastmasters club and this has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I visited four different clubs in my area before choosing Capital City Toastmasters. Each club has its own character, and it is important to find the right one for you. When you attend the first time, you are a guest and you will not be required to participate, except to say a few words about your impression of the meeting.

Overcome The Fear of Public Speaking And Enhance Your Career: Part I

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

The fear of public speaking is listed right up there with the fear of death. And even if we are accustomed to speaking in front of others, this highly valuable skill can always be improved upon. The famous billionaire investor, Warren Buffet, embarrassed himself early on in his career when he became too nervous to offer a toast during a prestigious Washington dinner. Yet this self-made man refused to let failure define him. He went on to become a confident and sought after speaker - not to mention rich and famous.

Almost every job description lists good communication skills as a requirement and this may also include public speaking. Honing these abilities is a worthwhile investment of time and can give you a competitive edge in your career transition. Since it takes practice to be comfortable speaking in front of large groups, it is ideal if you can get ample experience before an important event. Even if your work does not involve doing presentations, you will gain confidence and find abilities you were unaware of through practicing these skills with others.

Using LinkedIn to Boost Your Career Exploration

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

Is your LinkedIn profile helping in your non-clinical career search? If not, you may be getting stuck at an all too common place-actually speaking with people who can offer valuable advice. This can happen from just not having the experience of successfully contacting someone, or from the reluctance to ask a favor of a complete stranger. Once you experience the power and ease of using LinkedIn for networking, you’ll be sold.

Recently I contacted 4 people through LinkedIn. Two were recruiters, one was a medical writer, and the other was a Medical Science Liaison. Each responded back to my inquiries, with one hardy soul calling me back from the ICU! We had great conversations and I felt like I had made some new friends. I did my best to find ways to be helpful in return.

If you’d like to take more advantage of the power of LinkedIn, here are some steps for getting started:

1. Create your LinkedIn Profile. Build up contacts by inviting those you know and joining relevant groups. If you are connected to someone with 500 contacts, you have potential access to all of these people.

2. Search your area of interest by INDUSTRIES, JOBS, COMPANIES or GROUPS. By clicking on Advanced in the search box, you will be able to target your search.

Are you burning out?

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

Spit If You Think You Have Burnout! But let me duck first.

Your saliva may predict whether or not you might be at high risk for burnout, according to researchers in Montreal, as reported in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

By analyzing a sample of spit, abnormally low levels of the stress hormone cortisol can be detected – a red flag for impending burnout.

“Great!” You may be thinking. “A test to predict those at risk for burnout.  Use that for medical students; I’m already burned out.” 

I find that a lot of doctors feel burned out, but have not been given much, if any, information on burnout and what can be done.  Because burnout occurs in stages, and has a variety of symptoms and causes, there are no simple “one-size fits all” explanations or pat remedies. 

Considering a Non-Clinical Career? Here's a Book for You

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

One of my first recommendations to clients wanting non-clinical work is to read Mike McLaughlin’s book, Do You Feel Like You Wasted All That Training? Questions from Doctor’s Considering a Career Change. No one has felt that buying this book has been a waste of his or her time. On the contrary, the responses have all been highly positive!

The book is based on Dr. Michael McLaughlin’s personal career transition from plastic surgeon to owner of a highly successful medical communications company. I read this book as soon as it came in the mail and found it to be an excellent starting place for those first contemplating a career change.

Considering a Career Change? Prepare Your Launching Pad!

Author: Heather Fork, MD, CPCC

If you are considering making any significant career changes in the next several years, you can get a head start by shoring up your launching pad. Since it takes time and energy to explore a new direction, having your personal life in good shape will enhance the likelihood of success! Here are six key areas to consider:

Degree of Burnout: To what extent are you burned out from medicine? For those who have a hit a wall, it can be hard to find the interest or energy to make any changes. By taking specific measure to reverse the burnout, you will find it easier to move forward.

Finances: Take an honest look at your financial situation. Create a budget if you don’t already have one. Determine your short and long term financial goals and address any existing debt. Decide on your minimum acceptable salary requirements and lifestyle needs.