Author Archives: Adriana Tobar MD
5 Ways to Know if You Really Provide Patient-Centered Care
Patient-centered care is a term most physicians encounter every day. In fact, it’s so common that it could be considered a buzzword.
However, it’s something that we all need to be incredibly mindful about. If you’re a resident or a new physician, you should take extra time to cultivate this quality. Good habits are created early, and patient-centeredness is something that most hiring organizations take very seriously.
But in the end, being patient-centered isn’t about cultivating a quality that will make you more appealing to employers. It’s about genuinely connecting with your patients and giving the best care you possibly can.
5 Questions You Must Ask Before Accepting a Physician Job Offer
Before you decide to accept a physician job offer, you might be filled with excitement, dread or worry. After all, it’s an enormous commitment. How can you be sure you’re making the right decision?
Maybe you’ll get lucky… you’ll apply to your dream organization in your dream location and receive a dream offer. However, most of us have to compromise in some way or another. We decide to live in a place we’d rather not because of family obligations, or we take a pay cut for prioritizing our location over our salary.
Mind Your Own Business: Why Physicians Shouldn’t Compare Offers
When it comes time to start looking for jobs — and especially when it comes time to start accepting offers — residents start talking amongst themselves:
“What types of practices are you looking into?”
“Do you have any interviews lined up?”
“What salary range are you going for?”
While a lot of this talk can be categorized as pleasant and helpful conversation, it can easily turn into gossip. Let’s face it: Many residents feel uncertain when it comes to the physician job search process, and sometimes peers can provide enlightenment and tips. But this kind of talk can easily take a turn in the wrong direction — even with people you trust.
2012 Physician Compensation Trends: Who’s Earning the Most?
If you’re a resident, staying on top of physician compensation trends is important, since they can greatly influence the way you approach your job search. Even if you’re not actively searching for a job, it’s a good idea to stay informed and up to date.
Plus, there’s always that element of natural curiosity — it’s perfectly fine to be interested in how much you make compared to others, as long as you don’t become obsessed with money. Work-life balance, a purpose-driven career and job satisfaction should factor into your overall definition of success.
Can Social Media Jeopardize Your Physician Career?
By now, it’s common knowledge that people should be careful about what they post to social media sites — especially job seekers. But if you’re a resident or physician, you need to be especially careful because of HIPPA.
Again, this seems like common sense. But the more popular social media becomes, the more the lines are blurred. For most people, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and other sites are a part of day-to-day life. It’s easy to quickly post casual observations and comments without giving second thought to what you write.
How Long Does the Physician Job Search Process REALLY Take?
No matter how much of a procrastinator you are, I highly recommend getting a head start on your physician job search. I’ve seen too many residents try to cram their job search into a 1-3 month time span, and the results are hardly ever ideal.
Just How Long Does the Physician Job Search Process Take?
Truthfully, it varies. But between preparation, searching, deciding and transitioning into your first job, the process will take at least several months. To give you a realistic idea, I’ve outlined a time frame for each step below. Keep in mind that this just covers the most basic steps, and there are always other things you’ll need to tend to along the way. Give yourself plenty of time!
