Author Archives: Adriana Tobar MD
The One Skill That Can Make or Break Your Medical Career
“Patient-centered care” is a phrase that’s reached buzzword status… we hear it so often that it can be easy to ignore. But the fact is, patient-centeredness is one of the four key physician leadership competencies that most of today’s hiring organizations look for.
One of the biggest components of patient-centered care is empathy. To make it simple, I like to think of empathy as the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes — to know where they’re coming from and why they feel the way they do.
Are You Prepared for Dramatic Shifts Post-Residency? (Part 2)
Earlier this week, I wrote about the ways in which residents’ lives change dramatically during the transition to practice. For many, this transition feels like a complete 180. (If you missed the post, check it out here.)
As promised, I’m going to devote today’s post to introducing the concept of a “Life After Residency Alliance,” which is a group of people you can rely on for support, guidance and direction as you transition to practice.
The concept is taken from Napoleon Hill’s Mastermind Alliance, a philosophy of assembling a select group of people (Masterminds) to achieve a definite purpose. Each person contributes his or her strengths and talents, and helps to form a stronger alliance.
Are You Prepared for Dramatic Shifts Post-Residency? (Part 1)
The more I talk to new physicians who are transitioning into practice, the more I realize how many substantial life and career shifts occur post-residency.
I experienced these changes myself several years ago, but it’s taken me a while to fully process them and realize how they’ve affected my life.
In fact, it would be safe to say that I experienced a complete 180 after graduating from residency. I know other new physicians go through these exact same changes every year, whether they’re prepared for them or not.
Physician Relocation: What Moving Means For You and Your Family
Deciding to take a job in another city or state is a big decision, no matter what career you have. For physicians, though, it’s a common one, especially post-residency.
Physician relocation adds to new doctors’ stress (as if there weren’t enough already)! Moving is frequently cited as one of life’s biggest stressors — pair that with transitioning into a new job, going through the credentialing process and managing a family, and it can be hard to keep your head above water.
However, there are several things you can do to make physician relocation easier, including implementing change management practices and being open and communicative with your family.
Physician Credentialing Process: What You Shouldn’t Do
Whether you’re just getting started in your physician career or have been practicing for some time, the physician credentialing process is necessary and something you should be prepared for.
This is especially true if you’re a new physician and want to start a job by a specific date — if your credentialing isn’t finished in time, you won’t be able to start practicing.
While it’s a long, arduous process that’s seemingly out of your hands, there are actually several things you can do to speed up the process and ensure everything goes smoothly.
Depression in Residency: What to Do and How to Cope
Even though I love my job, I’ve been feeling a little burned out lately. I think it comes from being stretched too thin, which is something I’ve coped with off an on ever since med school.
As the saying goes, there are never enough hours in the day, and sometimes that really gets to me. While my practice is incredibly important, I also place a lot of value on my family. When I don’t get to spend much time with my husband and two children, I don’t just feel upset… I feel guilty, too, and those feelings wear on me every day.
