Thread by @DoctorTro

THREAD about being a young physician...

As a physician, I hate also being a business owner. I know in my heart I cannot serve two masters. I despise anything that interferes with me, my medical knowledge and my care for patients

1/n

When I finished my year as chief resident, I decided to join a large hospital group. The thought was, they would take care of the business stuff, and I would be able to focus on patients... sadly this couldn’t have been farther from the truth

2/n

After the hospital system wooed me, I found out I had seven managers

Scheduling manager
IT manager
Operational Manager
Purchasing Manager
Medical Group Manager
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Financial Officer

All who were fairly intimately involved in my regular affairs
3/n

They hijacked my default referrals, reviewed them and reported to me which no affiliate hospitals and specialist I was referring to, they scrutinized basic purchases like Microsoft Office. 90 days prior to my contract renewal I gave them my notice.
4/n

Now the problem was I had a two year non-compete. I was forced to travel for work because I couldn’t work in a 10 mile radius.

But I realized then that I could never TRUST anyone else with running the business of my medical practice.

5/n

The conflicts were too great for outside elements, and I trusted myself more than I trusted anyone else.

It was at that point that I realized that although I DESPISED the business of medicine & being a business owner that there was no other way to protect my autonomy.

6/n

And my desire to protect my autonomy came from my desire to do what’s right for my patients.

So, here I am now several years later. Getting bank loans, dealing with permits, construction, lawyers, accountants, web design, marketers, payment processors, etc, etc.

BULLSHIT

7/n

But all so I can do the right thing for my patients and for my conscious.

This is also the reason why I don’t take insurance and I charge patients directly for what I think is a very reasonable fee.

I don’t want anything to get in between me and my patients. NOTHING.

8/n

So here I am, being a business owner, despite NOT wanting to be one. I’ve had to become one and I’m proud to be one, and I will do my best at it.

But I can’t wait for the day when it’s just me and my patients, and none of the headache and bullshit.

9/9

Rant over...