Here’s more insight from Datin Dr. Maya…
Expertise, Knowledge, and Education Needed for Doctors to Get into Private Healthcare Management
“Doctors interested in a career in healthcare management would be wise to obtain an MBA degree preferably in Healthcare Management” said Datin Dr. Maya. “As a matter of fact, any additional certification for a doctor always boosts job opportunities for him/her,” she said. Doctors could obtain degrees in health economics, medical, statistics, occupational medicine, computer science etc. Doctors with expertise in data analysis and coding would be highly sought after, she noted.
Qualities Doctors Must Possess to Be in Private Healthcare Management
Because private healthcare management involves servicing customers, in this case patients, it is crucial that doctors are pleasant, helpful, compassionate, caring and attentive at all times. As patients they expect quality services and professionalism from the doctors treating them, said Datin Dr. Maya.
Advantages of Being in Private Healthcare Management
A career in private healthcare management offers doctors a work-life balance. Jobs in the sector are often 9 to 5 jobs. Another advantage is that private healthcare management is a fairly new field and doctors getting into this field stand a good chance for career improvement. “That’s because there is still much room for growth in this field,” noted Datin Dr. Maya.
Additionally, doctors make the best healthcare managers as they are able to make sound management decisions based on their exposure in treating patients. “They are the best persons to ensure quality patient care and continuous improvement of services and patient satisfaction,” noted Datin Dr. Maya.
Some “Negatives” of Being in Private Health Care Management
Doctors will have to learn computer skills, people management skills, and social skills in private healthcare management. This is quite different from serving in public healthcare. Those running clinics or holding top management positions would do well to be knowledgeable in finance, management, business development, computer literacy etc. This implies a steep learning curve for doctors. For this reason, additional education and certification is always a plus for a career in private healthcare management.
Another disadvantage would be the loss of clinical skills due to lack of practice because of having moved to the field of management. Instead, doctors will be preoccupied with paperwork and computer skills. Furthermore, some doctors will see a career in private healthcare management as mundane, preferring instead an adrenaline rush and gaining great satisfaction from saving patients’ lives in hospitals.
General Advice for Doctors
“As times have changed, it is no longer appropriate for doctors to view medicine as a ‘womb to tomb’ clinical profession. Because of their medical education and training, doctors can get into a myriad of professions in healthcare including healthcare management” said Datin Dr. Maya.
“Getting out of the government service can be hard and doctors might not know what to do in terms of a career alternative. Doctors ought not to fear trying new things or learning new things” she noted. Speaking from her personal experience, Datin Dr. Maya focused on a certification in Aesthetic Medicine and was able to add that particular service to the list of services her healthcare center offers to the public. She urges doctors who have left the government service to upskill themselves in their field of interest by attending seminars and conferences and obtaining hands-on training.
Furthermore, doctors are encouraged to keep abreast of new developments in healthcare to stay relevant in private healthcare management. “For example, these days, there is much interest in the field of genetic medicine and doctors knowledgeable about the field and new medical developments are in fact valuable assets in healthcare management,” noted Datin Dr. Maya.
According to Datin Dr. Maya, if doctors are driven, willing to learn new things, possess additional certifications or qualifications and have a good business sense, they will thrive in private healthcare management.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the doctors Disruptive Doctors has interviewed and are based entirely upon the information provided to us by them. Disruptive Doctors is not responsible for any inaccuracy in the information conveyed to us.
