'I've Had It With Medicine!' 16 Options for Second Careers

4. Become a Career Coach

Lots of physicians stay busy these days serving as career coaches for their colleagues. And considering the high percentage of doctors in The Physicians Foundation survey who reported that they wanted to change careers, demand for this new field may not yet be fully tapped.

In addition to counseling on career change, coaches help physicians upgrade their current careers, brush up on their management skills, and develop new sources of income for their practices. They may work with clients one-on-one, speak to small groups, or give seminars and speeches.

There are even courses and certification programs for career coaches, who can earn six figures once they've established themselves.

Dr. Kennealy left her post as hospital CEO in 2002 to start her own coaching company in Los Angeles. First she taught leadership skills to physician executives, department chiefs, and medical staff presidents. Now, in a business called The Entrepreneurial MD, she coaches physicians who want to start their own business. "It was a natural fit for me, because it allowed me back into the helping relationship that I enjoyed when I practiced medicine," she said.

Dr. Fork decided to become a career coach after leaving her dermatology practice in 2004, and Francine Gaillour, MD, has been working in the coaching field for 18 years. In the past five years, Dr. Gaillour has coached more than 300 physicians in one-on-one and group settings, as well as through teleseminars, according to her Website.

In 2003, Dr. Gaillour founded the Physician Coaching Institute, which has graduated more than 50 certified physician development coaches, including Dr. Kennealy. Enrollees take a six-month program that includes 12 live training teleseminars, other coaching sessions, and modules on specific skills.

Pluses: Demand for coaching is high, and the income can be good once you get established.

Minuses: You'll have to work hard to build up a client base.

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Cite this: 'I've Had It With Medicine!' 16 Options for Second Careers - Medscape - Jul 10, 2014.