Written By Kevin Payne
Updated on January 8, 2024
Like any profession, being a doctor has its benefits and drawbacks. Although the pay is often higher than in other careers, working as a physician isn’t without its low points. More doctors are dealing with burnout culture, even before the added stress of a global pandemic.
Long hours, bureaucracy and mounting expectations have caused many doctors to seek new career options. Others simply want a change of scenery or to pursue other passions. For example, maybe you dropped out of medical school, realizing you didn't want a career in patient care.
Whatever the reason, there are plenty of alternative careers for doctors to consider, many of which offer similar income or provide more time for family and other pursuits. Many alternative jobs let you use your education and experience to your advantage without practicing medicine daily. If you're considering leaving your career as a physician, here are some alternative careers for doctors to consider.
1. Pharmaceutical sales
Doctors have a unique and unmistakable understanding of medicine. Put that experience and knowledge to work as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company. Pharmaceutical sales reps educate physicians about the company's products, equipment, advancements in medical technology and more. Physicians deal with pharmacy reps frequently, giving them a distinct understanding of the role and the sales process to providers.
2. Professor
The adage goes, “those who can’t, teach.” Luckily, it's not necessarily true, especially for doctors looking for a new career. Teaching medical students through a pre-med or medical school program could be an ideal — and profitable — career switch.
Medical professors often make comparable salaries to practicing physicians. According to Salary.com, the median salary for professors of medicine is $166,916.
3. Public health worker
Becoming a public health worker lets you educate the public and prevent sickness without dealing directly with patients. Public health workers played a huge role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Job duties might include:
- Tracking, preventing, and responding to disease outbreaks.
- Research.
- Creating disaster response plans.
- Developing and implementing strategies and programs to create change.
- Educating the public on healthy lifestyle choices and self-care.
If you're looking for a fulfilling medical career that can potentially affect change in communities, this might be it.
4. Medical examiner
If you're a fan of true crime, becoming a medical examiner could be a dream come true, or at least a viable career option. Forensic medical examiners perform autopsies and determine how someone died.
Some states and employers require individuals in this profession to be a licensed physician or forensic pathologist, while states don't require a medical degree, especially if you become an elected coroner.
This career alternative might also require a residency and fellowship in forensic pathology.
5. Healthcare consultant
Healthcare consultants help identify issues in the medical industry and healthcare facilities, and research solutions to address these issues. Much of their time is spent engaging employees, managers, and other staff; drafting reports; and sharing solutions with clients.
In healthcare settings, you’d play a significant role in improving the patient experience, staffing issues, productivity, and other pertinent issues. Consultants look at hospital business practices and offer insight on how to potentially improve the patient experience and the experience of hospital staff.
You can also seek medical consultant jobs at private companies, private practices, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and medical device companies. The median salary for a healthcare consultant is $79,973, but many make upwards of $122,000 or higher.
6. Corporate medical director
A corporate medical director is a leadership role usually found at facilities like hospitals, medical research centers, pharmacy companies and nursing facilities. Corporate medical directors focus on the clinical medicine side of a facility's operations.
The duties of a corporate medical director might include recruiting and supervising staff, setting department budgets, ensuring the facility is in full compliance with laws and regulations, and improving patient care.
7. Medical writer/editor
If you possess writing skills, why not switch to a career as a medical writer or editor? You can get paid for medical writing for scientific and medical journals, medical blogs and other publications.
Your medical knowledge, combined with communication skills, can help you land work as a freelance writer or editor. Many publications also hire full-time and part-time medical writers and editors. Medical writing also allows you to work when you want, especially as a freelance writer.
8. Telemedicine
A career in telemedicine allows you to see patients, but with a more flexible schedule and
from the convenience of your home. You'll provide virtual care for patients, either full-time or part-time. Telehealth isn't just good for doctors. It's a viable and often more affordable option for patients, too.
According to the American Medical Association's 2021 Telehealth Survey Report, more than 80% of respondents said patients have better access to care since using telehealth. Also, 44% of respondents said that telehealth decreased the costs of care.
If you're burned out on traditional clinical services, a career in telemedicine allows you to explore alternative patient services while still earning a living.
Resources for doctors pursuing alternative careers
Switching to a new career isn't a simple task, especially if you've already invested time, money, and energy into training and building a career as a doctor. If you're considering a change in careers, a second career, or a side gig to earn more income, here are some resources that can help you make the transition.
Non-Clinical Careers Conference
The Non-Clinical Careers Conference, founded by SEAK (Skills, Education, Achievement, Knowledge) in 2003, centers around helping physicians explore non-clinical career opportunities. More than 5,000 physicians have attended the conference since its inception. The 17th annual conference takes place in Chicago on October 15-16, 2022.
Healthcare Businesswomen's Association
The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is a national networking organization for women working in the healthcare business. Its mission is to further the advancement and impact of women in the healthcare business.
The HBA has local chapters across the country, webinars and other resources for women in the healthcare industry.
Pursuing an alternative career
Whatever your situation, there are alternative career paths that fit a variety of needs and provide adequate income. Whether you're burned out on practicing medicine, dropped out of medical school or just want to explore other roles, there are options.
Even if you took on considerable student loan debt to fund your medical education, you can still pursue a career change. If you need help finding the best path for paying off your student loans, book a consultation with Student Loan Planner. We've helped thousands of borrowers, including physicians, create a customized student loan repayment plan that fits their needs. We can do the same for you.
