Entering practice after training comes with many challenges for physicians, not the least of which is career development. Once the formal structures of residency and fellowship have concluded, early-career physicians may not know where to go for the kind of advice, support and feedback they need.
“The transition is huge,” said Brooke M. Buckley, MD, vice president of medical affairs for Henry Ford Health in Detroit, and an alternate delegate for the AMA House of Delegates. “You go from a very prescribed set of rules and a very safe environment – one where you always you have the commitment of the organization behind you – to a place where it's you, your license and your practice.”
Henry Ford Health is part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
With the right support, Dr. Buckley said, the change doesn’t have to feel so jarring. Physicians can use mentorship, coaching and peer relationships to help build the framework they need to thrive in practice. The following four strategies can help you create and nurture a strong professional network as an early-career physician.
Seek employers who value connections
One of the most important first steps for employed physicians is selecting an organization that knows how important human relationships, including peer support and networking, are to their well-being.
“It’s critical for residents and fellows to be intentional about choosing environments that actively support their success, not just clinically but operationally and culturally, as well,” said Heather Farley, MD, MHCDS, the AMA’s group vice president of professional satisfaction and practice sustainability. “One of the most practical starting points to evaluate that is the AMA’s Joy in Medicine® Health System Recognition Program.”
Though being recognized doesn’t mean an organization is perfect, she noted, it does mean that it has demonstrated a commitment to physician and organizational well-being, which includes providing professional support and career development.
Henry Ford Health, which most recently received bronze-level recognition in the Joy in Medicine® program, offers a One-on-One Coaching Program for physicians, including those navigating career transitions or moving into leadership roles.
“As a health care system, we recognize that people making big transitions will benefit from the support of a coaching structure,” Dr. Buckley said.
If you are considering your first postresidency job, get your cheat sheet now from the AMA.
Find a mentor
By the time most physicians enter their first job after residency or fellowship training, they have had at least one mentor—if not several. But mentors who were able to help you as a resident may not have the same ability to help you in your new position.
“The transition from residency or fellowship into independent practice is one of the most exciting, but also one of the more vulnerable periods in a physician's career,” Dr. Farley said. “And what changes most dramatically isn't just the role, it's the environment around the role.”
It’s important, therefore, to find a mentor who understands the type of practice you are in and who can give you specific, current guidance. Don’t be afraid to approach people but be aware that not everyone has the bandwidth to take on a new mentee. Try not to take it personally.
For more on mentoring, including tips on how to get started, consider this AMA STEPS Forward® podcast episode, “The Importance of Physician Mentoring.”
Consider physician coaching
Unlike mentorship, coaching is a formal relationship that focuses on goals and progress instead of advice or relationship-building. For physicians, coaches can be an excellent addition to their professional network.
“Clearly, we accept coaching as helpful in other places in our life,” Dr. Buckley said. “The key distinction is that coaching supports your growth by prompting reflection and helping you find your own insights and answers, whereas mentorship is rooted in people sharing their lived experiences and passing on their wisdom.”
In the Henry Ford Health coaching program, certified coaches who specialize in working with physicians typically meet with their “coach-ees” every couple of weeks for six months to a year. In the sessions, physicians set goals in areas that might include communication, leadership, feedback and time management. Then, they create plans for how they can achieve those goals.
Dr. Buckley added that if coaching is not available to early-career physicians through their organizations, they can consider finding a professional, certified coach who specializes in helping physicians in similar situations.
“True professional coaching typically adheres to a playbook that guides the client through a structured process,” she said. “Whether it is done privately or through your organization, it should have a clear framework.”
Look to your peers
As a resident or fellow, you’re typically surrounded by other physicians who are at a similar stage in their careers. Finding someone who understands what you’re going through may be more difficult once you have transitioned to practice.
“Many new attending physicians underestimate the impact of losing that built-in camaraderie, mentorship and shared learning environment” in residency or fellowship, Dr. Farley said.
And research shows that peer relationships aren’t just good for your career, they also aid physician well-being. Once you are settled into your first role out of training, it’s important to connect with colleagues, both inside and outside of work. See what kind of opportunities your organization offers for peer interactions—which might include support programs, networking events and informal outings.
You can also consider joining professional organizations—like the AMA—and attend events where you can meet other physicians at the same stage in their careers, no matter what stage you are in. Learn more and become an AMA member here
