A general content analysis of interviews with doctors who have transitioned to the industry indicate several recurring themes that both doctors and the industry must take note of. They are:
1. Doctors are enjoying their new careers especially when it’s a field they’ve always been interested in. The quality of being intrigued by the field one is transitioning into is a strong determinant of success.
2. Coming from clinical service, many doctors are pleasantly surprised by the myriad of options and possibilities available to them in the industry. They find that they do not have a set and strict pathway to follow. Rather, they choose the area that they want to excel in and chart their own pathways.
3. Doctors realize that recognition and rewards are readily available to them as long as they are performing well on their jobs. Many doctors who have transitioned to the pharma industry are now the global and regionals heads of their companies. Rewards in the industry are not based on seniority but rather, on merit.
4. Doctors know that they need a change of mindset in terms of expectations of their new profession as it is very different from clinical service. Some even reported to feeling the death of their “doctor” life. Embracing sales and corporate persons was not easy at first but later became second nature to them.
5. Adaptability and flexibility are keys to success in a doctor’s new profession. The main reason doctors fail to successfully transition into a new career is the inability to accept changes and to do things differently. Some struggle with the loss of their status as doctors.
6. Doctors have needed to persevere in their new career as a strong learning curve is required in order to succeed in the field. Being a good student in school does not translate to being successful in one’s career. Making up one’s mind to be a lifelong learner is extremely helpful.
7. Having mentors make the transition so much easier for doctors. Mentors are often people who might or might not be doctors who have been in a field for some time and are successful. They are the best people to offer guidance on what to do and what to avoid.
8. The presence of mentors often plays a pivotal role in a transitioning doctor’s success in the new field. Doctors are advised to seek out mentors and most importantly, to listen to their advice and experience.
9. Doctors who have transitioned to medically related fields often feel that they are impacting more patients than they could have, had they continued in clinical service.
10. Those running their own business need to keep challenging themselves in new ways for business expansion or else complacency will set in and with that comes failure.
11. You can take a doctor out of clinical service, but wherever a doctor transitions to, patient wellbeing and common societal good tend to be central in their minds and is translated in the work they do in their new careers.
