OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Building a Medical Practice : Lessons Learned by Trial & Error
Medical education , beginning with medical school and continuing through the years of residency and / or fellowship finds us consumed with learning the core of medical science , physical examination , differential diagnosis and evidence-based medical and surgical interventions . We dive into our studies and clinical training with verve and commitment , each year bringing new knowledge and experience which will allow us to provide the best care to patients . The state of the science and the art of medicine are obviously of utmost importance , however , what other skills might enhance our practice and lead to better , more effective and efficient care ?
Leadership and communication skills are slowly entering medical school and residency curricula to a limited degree , but topics such as personal and health care finances , business development , regulatory and legal aspects of practice , contract negotiation , information technology , advocacy or the concepts of the business “ life cycle ” and health care climate are unfortunately not incorporated into medical education . Training in these concepts and processes during our formative years , these lesser known , less tangible skills , could help us navigate the day-to-day waters of this profession as
by FRANK BURNS , MD we enter into the world of full-fledged medical practice .
Having been in the world of private practice for over 30 years , the majority as a solo practitioner , I have been blessed with a wonderful , fulfilling career . This has not , however , been without a steady dose of obstacles , barriers , trial and error . I must say , I could have certainly used a shot or two of training in all of the above-mentioned arenas prior to entering the “ real world .” Fortunately , I had a bevy of colleagues and mentors who helped me throughout my personal practice journey .
Let me share a bit of my baptism-by-fire . I will start at the very beginning …
Residency Training
One might say that I took the hard row to hoe out of the gate as my specialty of choice was ophthalmology . Ophthalmology was , and still remains , an exquisitely competitive specialty with a 45 % acceptance rate at the time I entered the Match . Programs looked to accept those within the upper 5-10 % of the respective graduating medical school class . I pursued this knowing I was not within that realm , garnering a small number of interviews , but , ultimately , I was not accepted . This threw the proverbial monkey wrench in my “ master plan ” as my wife had matched in urology at the University of Louisville . I , therefore , accepted a year in internal medicine . Still determined to pursue this specialty , I took a position as a research
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