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Real Stories of Physician Transitions into nonclinical work

From ER Physician to Financial Company's Medical Guru

1/14/2016

10 Comments

 
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Maryam Beltran Shapland MD went from working as a busy emergency medicine physician to a medical director for Securain Financial Group. While it is not an intuitive leap, the fast paced work and the wide variety of challenging cases in her current job as a medical director and at her former job as an ER physician make the settings surprisingly similar. Hard working and ambitious in every job she has had, she doesn’t shy away from diving into complex new situations.
Dr. Beltran Shapland enjoyed her work in emergency medicine, was involved in administration and often worked more hours than she was contracted to work because of last minute doctor shortages and scheduling changes. She was the most productive doctor in her group, pulling in high numbers of RVU’s and bonuses. But, while she was able to handle the intensity of medically unstable patients and what she describes as the occasionally threatening environment that was an inherent part of her ER work, Dr. Beltran Shapland found that balancing the irregular shift hours was unsustainable for the long term. With two young children, she went part time to 0.8 and then to 0.6. While she spent enough ‘hours’ with her family, she was exhausted and often preoccupied with thoughts of patient results, even while she was away from work. She also was interested in other aspects of medicine, and she was already involved in disaster relief when she took an online global health course to get her post graduate global health certificate.

She considered ways to incorporate global health into her work and had fleeting thoughts of looking for a non-clinical position as a more workable long-term prospect. Then her own outlook abruptly changed when she was named in a lawsuit. A patient who developed a medical condition sued everyone who had been involved in her care, including Dr. Maryam Shapland, who had seen her a week earlier in the ER. Like many physicians faced with a lawsuit, she was devastated and heartbroken. The lawsuit was a pivotal moment in which she felt such a sense of betrayal after having worked so hard to save the life of a dying patient. It was the tipping point that started her seriously looking at non-clinical positions.
She scoured websites, read books, and looked at job sites. When a recruiter looking for a mid-career physician with clinical experience to work contacted her, she was intrigued. After confirming that the job offer was something she wanted to know more about, she applied. Now she works as a medical director for Securain Financial Group, a life insurance and disability company. Her daily work involves teaching underwriters about medical conditions and guiding them through the complexities of claims. She often looks at autopsy reports and police reports while giving her opinions on claims and a variety of cases. She says that every case is different and that her work is never boring. She says that the job she does requires 5-10 years of clinical experience and maintenance of board certification as well as an active medical license.
Dr. Beltran Shapland stays in touch with former colleagues (who often ask about how she got her position) and is very happy with her current job. She enjoys her day-to-day work and can see longevity in it, where she couldn’t see that in her work as an ER physician.
10 Comments
carol palmieri md link
1/2/2018 10:57:33 am

I am an Emergency Medicine physician who quit my position as Site Director for an urgent care in New York. I have spent the last 6 months researching and considering new positions. I worked in clinical medicine for 25 years. I am very frustrated and confused in my search, but need to find a satisfying position soon. Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.

Reply
Heidi Moawad link
1/3/2018 07:15:06 am

Dear Carol, It can be hard to find new positions. Since you have already been searching for 6 months, you may have already decided which industry is right for you.
This might be helpful:http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/how-to-find-a-non-clinical-job.html
If you need additional guidance, please get in touch: http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/contact-me.html

Reply
Andrea D'Achiardi
3/31/2018 09:41:18 am

Dear Dr. Shapland,

I am so depressed, not suicidal, but I just feel that I have nothing to live for anymore. Nothing gives me any pleasure. I am about to be 30 years old and I literally had been working on my dream to become a physician since I was 15 years-old. I recently (last year) dropped out of medical school after completing 2 years of medical school. It was not easy and I had no support at school. I really feel that I need someone who has been through this to talk to and if not at least a good book that will make me feel like I was not a failure. My dream had always been to be a physician and school was not easy for me. I made many sacrifices like not having a social life and working all the time to make it reality. On top of it all, I had to file bankruptcy. I never imagined this in my life and I worked so hard and have nothing to show for it. I am nurse and have been for the last 8 years, but it was never my dream to be a nurse, rather I did it so I could become a better physician. I am considering applying to PA school since I have all the requirements. Anyways, I just want someone to talk to and to help me. I have tried counselors, psychologist, etc and it is difficult because I feel nobody understands that this was my identity and I felt that I had it stripped away. If you can recommend anyone I'd really appreciate it.

Reply
Heidi Moawad MD
3/31/2018 06:00:25 pm

Dear Andrea, this sounds like a tough situation. Please send a message through this link. http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/contact-me.html

I have already gotten in touch with someone who can talk with you.

Reply
Rebecca C Middleton, MD link
1/1/2019 05:20:34 pm

I’m a 55yr old internal medicine doc that hasn’t practiced in 20yrs due to illness and then took care of my mother with Alzheimers for 8yrs until she died 4yrs ago. I desperately want reentry but I bet they’ll want me to go back to medical school and residency at age 55. I need some type of medical work now. Do you know anyone that could help me? Please!










Reply
Heidi Moawad
1/2/2019 10:41:31 am

Dear Rebecca,

There are some re-entry programs for physicians that can help get you back on track to working again:

http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/resources-for-disabled-physicians.html



If you don't want to go full force back into medicine, some of the options for doctors without residency may work for you:
http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/careers-for-physicians-without-residency.html


And if you are interested in medical writing, you are more than qualified for a position in one of these agencies:
http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/medical-writing-and-strategy-agencies.html

Some more resources:
http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/useful-links.html

Reply
LENA AMANQUAH
4/5/2019 11:30:32 am

I am a pediatrician who has been working for the past 17 years in outpatient, inpatient and ER locations. As a mom of 2 young children, I believe I am now very ready to leave clinical medicine. I am not feeling fulfilled and feel like I need to do something else involving healthcare. My search is not turning up anything fruitful. I also feel that there are not any good nonclinical positions for pediatricians. Any tips or advice you can provide to help me in this endeavor would be truly appreciated. Thank you

Reply
Heidi Moawad
4/12/2019 02:09:26 pm

Dr. Amanquah,

It is best to begin by determining your priorities:
http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/transition-toolkit/what-are-your-professional-priorities

And how you envision your future career:
http://www.nonclinicaldoctors.com/transition-toolkit/there-is-more-than-one-way-to-be-a-doctor

Reply
Manpreet
5/6/2020 02:52:33 pm

Hi,
I am a Family Practice MD who is looking to transition into nonclinical work. I am burnt out after 14 years. How do I contact/find a job with a company related to life insurance and disability company?

Reply
Heidi Moawad
5/8/2020 09:32:08 am

Dr. Manpreet,

Finding a niche job like working for a life insurance or disability company requires contacting each company individually because they do not recruit people together. You can reach out to local insurance companies and look at their websites for openings. You can also try looking at companies that aren't looking if you would consider working remotely. They might not specifically be advertising for a physician, but you can apply when they list jobs that require medical expertise. You can also consider contacting a job recruiter in the insurance industry to help you.

Reply



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  • Non-clinical jobs for doctors
    • How to Find a Non-Clinical Job
    • Medical career strategies
    • Transition Toolkit
    • Physician Success Stories
    • Wound Care Physician
  • Where to find non clinical jobs
    • Job Openings
    • Medical Writing and Strategy Agencies
    • Medical Review Companies
    • Medical Writing Job
    • Clinical Research Training
  • Useful Links
  • Careers for Physicians Without Residency
    • Licensing and Programs for International Physicians
  • Resources For Physicians With Disability
  • Re-Entry Into Medicine
  • Tips from your doctor
  • How to Become a Licensed Physician in the USA