Is it possible to get an online MBA through a "top tier" b-school in the USA? I suppose it depends on how you define "top tier."
BusinessWeek has a list of top 30 full-time business schools. Within that list, Indiana University (Kelley) is the only school that offers a true online program. Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) is also on that list of top 30, but the online program they offer is very selective and you have to live within specific cities to participate in that program.
Thunderbird is considered a "second tier" school by BusinessWeek. They offer an online MBA. Arizona State (Carey) and Babson are other "second tier" schools that offer an online MBA degree.
There are many other schools that are ranked on BusinessWeek (either for their Executive MBA or their part-time MBA). Some of them also offer online programs. Schools that come to mind include: Drexel (LeBow); the University of Florida (Warrington); Villanova; U Mass Amherst (Isenberg); and several others.
I find that the phrase "online MBA" or "distance learning MBA" can be leading because some programs still require a considerable time on campus. Therefore, it's important to clarify and to differentiate which programs are 100% online. I often meet physicians and medical students who are interested in online MBA programs. Most of them are interested in the didactic learning and less motivated by the social networking aspects of b-school. I suppose it really depends on your reasons for pursuing an MBA and your overall career goals.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Screen Protectors for Mobile Gadgets
There was a time when I used screen protectors on all my devices. My Apple Newton Messagepad 2100 had a screen protector. Then, any other device that had a touch screen got a screen protector. This includes my Palm Pilot, the Casio Cassiopeia E-125, HP/Compaq iPaq, the Treo 700wx, and more recently my HTC XV6800.
I've started moving away from screen protectors on some of my other devices. For instance, my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC doesn't have a screen protector. I've been using this device for over a year and it doesn't have a single scratch on it. I also haven't used a screen protector on my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet. No scratches.
So. my XV6800 needs a new screen protector. There are several different types and I've been using the original one that came in the Verizon box.
I've started moving away from screen protectors on some of my other devices. For instance, my Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC doesn't have a screen protector. I've been using this device for over a year and it doesn't have a single scratch on it. I also haven't used a screen protector on my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet. No scratches.
So. my XV6800 needs a new screen protector. There are several different types and I've been using the original one that came in the Verizon box.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Jobs in Health IT
There are a growing number of jobs in health IT. If you have an interest in that industry, then start getting familiar with companies like:
- GE Centricity
- Nextgen
- Kronos
- Cerner
- McKesson
- Lawson
- Meditech
- Epic
- Eclipsys
MD, MBA Program List on the Student Doctor Network
There's a great list of MD, MBA (or MD/MBA) programs on the Student Doctor Network
If you already have your MD and you're thinking about B-school, then you've come to the right place. I have some resources here about getting an MBA for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
If you already have your MD and you're thinking about B-school, then you've come to the right place. I have some resources here about getting an MBA for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Finding Jobs on Indeed.com
Instead of using multiple different job boards (like Monster, Career Builder, and Yahoo Jobs), why not use a single source that aggregates all the potential opportunities that are out there. I'm not talking about Google. Try Indeed.com
Google: Joe Kim
Total tangent: In the last 30 days, I've had more page visits from Google by people searching for "Joe Kim."
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? There are so many people out there who are named Joe Kim that I have no idea who they're trying to find. The average pages/visit is 4.17 for Joe Kim and 1.76 for Joseph Kim. The average time on the site for Joe Kim is 10 minutes while the average time for Joseph Kim is only 4 minutes.
Here's the bottom line: more people go by the name "Joe" even if their legal/technical name is "Joseph." So, it's more common for people to know someone called (not named) Joe Kim rather than Joseph Kim. There's my 30 second thesis on this issue.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? There are so many people out there who are named Joe Kim that I have no idea who they're trying to find. The average pages/visit is 4.17 for Joe Kim and 1.76 for Joseph Kim. The average time on the site for Joe Kim is 10 minutes while the average time for Joseph Kim is only 4 minutes.
Here's the bottom line: more people go by the name "Joe" even if their legal/technical name is "Joseph." So, it's more common for people to know someone called (not named) Joe Kim rather than Joseph Kim. There's my 30 second thesis on this issue.
Raptiva and the FDA
As more stories emerge about progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients using the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab), the FDA has issued a public health advisory. Raptiva is a biologic agent and in October 2008, a black box warning was added to the product label. Raptiva is manufactured by Genentech.
More and More Jobs on LinkedIn
There are more and more jobs popping up on LinkedIn
Some of them are appearing only within specific "groups" on LinkedIn. Therefore, if you're looking for a job or a complete career change, you may have a lot to gain by joining LinkedIn and building your electronic social network.
Some of them are appearing only within specific "groups" on LinkedIn. Therefore, if you're looking for a job or a complete career change, you may have a lot to gain by joining LinkedIn and building your electronic social network.
I Want the Amazon Kindle 2
I love gadgets. The Amazon Kindle 2 looks like a really nice gadget for those who enjoy reading. It's so nice to have an illuminated screen so that you don't have to deal with shadows on the page. Also, it's so thin and light. No pages flapping around in the wind. It just seems like a great e-book. Now if only the price could be reduced...
I think healthcare providers will eventually rely on e-books and tablets more and more. As health information gets published online, paper textbooks will become so obsolete that they will end up in museums and archive rooms. As e-book readers and other formats gain popularity, we will see a huge increase in demand and a significant reduction in price. Sony's Digital Book and Amazon's Kindle 2 are both really nice, but they are still niche devices for those who can afford to spend a few hundred dollars on a luxury gadget.
Intel Turbo Memory on the Thinkpad X200 Tablet
I have Intel Turbo Memory on my Lenovo Thinkpad X200 Tablet. I've been doing some reading about Turbo Memory and the tech experts seem to have varying views of the efficacy of this technology. Since it's there, I really don't pay any attention to it. However, I think I'm going to try disabling it just to see if I notice any difference in performance. Since I'm already running 64 bit Vista with 4 GB of RAM, I don't think that Turbo Memory is adding a whole lot.
Getting the aGPS to work on the XV6800 MR2
The release of MR1 and MR2 for the Verizon XV6800 has complicated things quite significantly. I had to install an older Verizon ROM, then update the bootloader, then install the new radio ROM, then install the new device ROM. Once you do that, then you need to run QPST and change a few settings to enable the aGPS.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Build Your Social Network
I recently had the opportunity to get reconnected with some old colleagues. Then, I received this email from a physician resident who decided that residency wasn't the right fit and is now actively looking for a job. My advice was this - build your network and get reconnected with old classmates, colleagues, and friends. Your best probability of finding a job might be through those connections. Also, I suggested that this person make the best use of professional social networking websites like LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc. Finally, I mentioned that executive recruiters can be very helpful in helping you find a job when you're making a career transition into the non-clinical field. They have connections and they may also know of opportunities that aren't posted anywhere.
First BSOD on Vista Business 64 bit
I experienced my first blue screen of death (BSOD) on my Thinkpad X200 tablet running Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64 bit. Everything seems OK now, but all my applications froze and were unresponsive before I got the BSOD. This is my first experience running the 64 bit version of Vista, so I guess we'll have to see how things go. I anticipate that once Windows 7 gets released, I'll be installing that and getting rid of Vista.
What is Cloud Computing?
With the recent popularity surge of netbooks and UMPCs, you may have heard the phrase "cloud computing" used in the news, blogs, and other websites. What does this really mean?
To start, you have to understand that the cloud refers to the Internet (it's a metaphor more than anything, but most people have a very difficult time grasping the concept of cyberspace). Next, some basics on software as a service (SaaS) and Web 2.0
Is this getting too complex? Let's make it more simple. Cloud Computing can allow a user to pick up any type of computer (netbook, notebook, tablet, UMPC, desktop, etc.) that has Internet access. Through the Internet, the user can then access specific applications and stay very productive. The computer can be just about anything. Hence, the beauty of the netbook starts to really shine. You don't have to reinstall all your software on every single device if you rely on Cloud Computing since your software lives on a cloud.
Microsoft Office Live Workspace is one such example. Google Docs is another. Have you tried working on the cloud?
To start, you have to understand that the cloud refers to the Internet (it's a metaphor more than anything, but most people have a very difficult time grasping the concept of cyberspace). Next, some basics on software as a service (SaaS) and Web 2.0
Is this getting too complex? Let's make it more simple. Cloud Computing can allow a user to pick up any type of computer (netbook, notebook, tablet, UMPC, desktop, etc.) that has Internet access. Through the Internet, the user can then access specific applications and stay very productive. The computer can be just about anything. Hence, the beauty of the netbook starts to really shine. You don't have to reinstall all your software on every single device if you rely on Cloud Computing since your software lives on a cloud.
Microsoft Office Live Workspace is one such example. Google Docs is another. Have you tried working on the cloud?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Verizon Wireless 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution)
Verizon Wireless is working on 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution). Is it possible we'll start seeing some phones with 4G capability next year? Download speeds of 50 megabits per second!
Inactive Doctors and Active Medical Licenses
LocumLife has an article on how many clinically inactive doctors hold and maintain active medical licenses. Many of these physicians are women who may take extended "breaks" from medicine to have children, raise a family, etc. Others are physicians who venture into non-clinical careers and they find themselves being drawn back to the practice of medicine. You may even get some physicians who pursue an early retirement, only to discover that they need additional income to maintain their current lifestyle.
The study was conducted mainly among pediatricians by the University of Michigan Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit and the American Board of Pediatrics. I suspect you'll get some skewed responses since many of these physicians are women and many either work part-time or they tend to take long career breaks. I think it will be interesting if a similar study is conducted among all the specialties.
Hospital Pharmacy Performance Index by McKesson
McKesson has a new survey called the Hospital Pharmacy Performance Index. There's been a lot of talk about increasing physician performance, but there are significant needs to improve corporate performance at hospital and pharmacy levels. So how does your local hospital score? To find out, have your hospital take the online assessment here:
http://www.highperformancepharmacy.com/
The assessment is based on the 8 dimensions of pharmacy practice: leadership, medication preparation and delivery, patient care services, medication safety, medication use policy, financial performance, human resource management, and education.
http://www.highperformancepharmacy.com/
The assessment is based on the 8 dimensions of pharmacy practice: leadership, medication preparation and delivery, patient care services, medication safety, medication use policy, financial performance, human resource management, and education.
VGX Pharmaceuticals: PENNVAX and CELLECTRA
Dr. J. Joseph Kim (no, not me) is president and CEO of VGX Pharmaceuticals. We're both MIT alumni, so we share one similar connection. There have been some exciting news from VGX recently.
Here's the headline from a recent press release: "VGX Pharmaceuticals Proprietary DNA Vaccines Delivered with Electroporation Achieve Immune Responses Superior to Recombinant Adenovirus Serotype 5 (Ad5) Vectors"
That sounds very exciting to me because there is such a need for better vaccines. Plus, we really need an HIV vaccine. This press release deals with some results on the PENNVAX HIV Vaccine Program. Researchers have been working on delivering the PENNVAX™ DNA vaccines using a novel electroporation device called CELLECTRA®.
Collaborators include the University of Pennsylvania, VGX, and Merck. These results are truly exciting and they reflect what can happen when you apply novel technologies in healthcare. Perhaps we will see a safe and effective HIV vaccine someday.
Here's the headline from a recent press release: "VGX Pharmaceuticals Proprietary DNA Vaccines Delivered with Electroporation Achieve Immune Responses Superior to Recombinant Adenovirus Serotype 5 (Ad5) Vectors"
That sounds very exciting to me because there is such a need for better vaccines. Plus, we really need an HIV vaccine. This press release deals with some results on the PENNVAX HIV Vaccine Program. Researchers have been working on delivering the PENNVAX™ DNA vaccines using a novel electroporation device called CELLECTRA®.
Collaborators include the University of Pennsylvania, VGX, and Merck. These results are truly exciting and they reflect what can happen when you apply novel technologies in healthcare. Perhaps we will see a safe and effective HIV vaccine someday.
Defective keyboard on my XV6800
I've recently discovered that my refurbished replacement XV6800 sent by Verizon Wireless has a severely defective keyboard. Not only do certain keys repeat themselves when I press them once. The "B" button does not work. The #7 is also on that button. Hence, I am crippled with a defective keyboard and I have to pull up the on-screen keyboard when I want to type either "B" or "7." Come on Verizon! Send me a working replacement please!
Extended-Release Tramadol
It appears that the FDA has tenatively approved the extended-release tramadol capsule. Tramadol - also called Ultram - is a non-controlled substance. However, because it is derived from opiates, it has a theoretical potential to cause addictive behavior (well, maybe I shouldn't say it's theoretical since there are clinical studies documenting addiction, abuse, and misuse).
The extended-release tramadol capsule is being developed by Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (not to be confused with the Cypher drug-eluting stent for coronary heart disease)
The extended-release tramadol capsule is being developed by Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (not to be confused with the Cypher drug-eluting stent for coronary heart disease)
American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) Certifications
The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) was incorporated in 1948 and has gone through quite a few changes over the years. Instead of offering certification in a single medical specialty, it offers board certifications in several, including:
The Board consists of members from the following organizations:
- Occupational medicine (1955)
- Aerospace medicine (1953, formerly called Aviation medicine, name changed in 1963)
- General preventive medicine (1963) - which is now called public health and general preventive medicine (1983)
- Undersea and hyperbaric medicine (1989)
- Medical toxicology (1992)
The Board consists of members from the following organizations:
- Aerospace Medical Association
- American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- American College of Preventive Medicine
- American Medical Association
- Association of Schools of Public Health
- Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine
- Trustees of the American Board of Preventive Medicine
9 comments so far on the Forbes story on Concierge Medicine
An interesting article popped up on Forbes last month titled, "Should You Dump Your Primary Care Physician?"
So far, there are 9 comments and several are from physicians who are actively practicing boutique or concierge medicine. This is a growing industry and may see a huge burst depending on what types of changes occur within the nation's healthcare system.
Windows 7 Build 7048 Release Candidate 1
According to some reports, the Release Candidate Version 1 of Windows 7 is Build 7048. I think it may be out there - somewhere. Good luck finding it. I used to be more excited about Windows 7 because I wanted to install it on my Samsung Q1 Ultra, but it doesn't run any better than Vista.
Bureau of Labor Statistics on Healthcare Professional Salary
Here are the National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates from 2007. So many salary statistics tend to be inflated and completely inaccurate. I would hope that the government would provide more reliable data. By glancing through this list, you see physicians, pharmacists, nurses, therapists, and other clinicians.
It's very difficult to find salary surveys among non-clinical medical professionals because of the extremely wide range of figures that are out there. It's interesting to see salary ranges displayed within specific industries like: managed care medical directors; CME professionals; pharmaceutical physicians; finance/consulting/market research physicians.
It's very difficult to find salary surveys among non-clinical medical professionals because of the extremely wide range of figures that are out there. It's interesting to see salary ranges displayed within specific industries like: managed care medical directors; CME professionals; pharmaceutical physicians; finance/consulting/market research physicians.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
iPhone vs. Windows Phone
Who will win? Smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.5 will be dubbed "Windows Phones." Seems a bit silly to me, but since iPhone is so catchy, why not play along? Will RIM call the BlackBerry the "Berry Phone?" What about Palm and the webOS? The "Pre Phone?"
If we were to fast forward into the future, would we see regular mobile phones that don't run a sophisticated operating system? Will we have basic phones that don't have a touch screen, a web browser, and office applications? My prediction is that all future devices will be smartphones.
If we were to fast forward into the future, would we see regular mobile phones that don't run a sophisticated operating system? Will we have basic phones that don't have a touch screen, a web browser, and office applications? My prediction is that all future devices will be smartphones.
Instant-On OS
If you had a UMPC or netbook, would you use a basic instant on operating system? The new Sony Vaio P has this feature as the first "pocketbook" netbook. It probably won't fit in most pockets, but it will slide nicely into a clutch purse.
Most instant-on operating systems run a simple version of Linux. You'll have your e-mail, your web browser, your contacts, and a few other basic things. The HTC Shift was one of the first netbooks to have an instant-on interface called SnapVUE. I'm not sure how many people really found it helpful since you may eventually need complete access to all your applications. By then, you've booted into Windows XP or Vista.
Most instant-on operating systems run a simple version of Linux. You'll have your e-mail, your web browser, your contacts, and a few other basic things. The HTC Shift was one of the first netbooks to have an instant-on interface called SnapVUE. I'm not sure how many people really found it helpful since you may eventually need complete access to all your applications. By then, you've booted into Windows XP or Vista.
Medpedia Medical Wiki
The Medpedia medical wiki project is now live and active. Of course, it's much more than a wiki. Let's see what type of participation we get on this site. Will this be medical social networking at its best?
The Uncertain Future of Tablet PCs
What type of future lies ahead for slate and convertible Tablet PCs? Will Apple revive the Tablet computer in 2009? Will pen-based computing be more than just a niche market where healthcare professionals dominate with the pen and point-and-click EHRs? As more smartphones, MP3 players, MIDs, video players, and other devices rely on touch-based input, will this naturally transition over to notebooks and netbooks? At one point, I remember thinking that we'd be seeing many more convertible laptops by now. Instead, I feel like that pie is shrinking.
There seems to be fewer convertible tablet PCs on the market from major manufacturers. For instance, Sony still hasn't released a convertible tablet PC. Also, Apple also hasn't jumped on this wagon quite yet. And, we hardly see a dedicated slate tablet PC these days. Fujitsu and Motion may be the only two companies making these (I realize there are others, but I wanted to pick on my favorites since I had/have a Fujitsu).
I'm still very happy with my Thinkpad X200 tablet and I wouldn't trade it for any standard notebook that's out there on the market. This computer has an active digitizer plus a passive touch screen. You really can't ask for more (well, maybe capacitive touch and multi-finger touch gestures).
Congrats to Dr. Deborah Dunsire!
Congrats to Deborah Dunsire, M.D.!
The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) announced that its 2009 “Woman of the Year” is Dr. Deborah Dunsire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. She also spoke at the 2007 MIT Sloan BioInnovations.
Stuck on the Bootloader Screen
I got stuck on the Bootloader screen today as I was updating a few things on my XV6800. Fortunately, I still had an active USB connection and I was able to install the DCD 4.1.2 custom ROM on my device. This is a really nice ROM mainly because you can use your finger to pan/scroll more pages up and down, including on Pocket Internet Explorer. However, since I have Skyfire, this isn't a huge benefit.
Unfortunately, I'll have to go through this again in a few days because my device has a defective keyboard. I hate reinstalling all my applications.
Unfortunately, I'll have to go through this again in a few days because my device has a defective keyboard. I hate reinstalling all my applications.
Uloric (Febuxostat) approved by the FDA for gout
Uloric (TMX-67 or febuxostat) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of gout. It's been over 40 years since the FDA has approved a new drug specifically for gout. Febuxostat is a highly potent non-purine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidasewas and it was approved by the European Union (EU) last year, and now we have the FDA approval this year. We're always lagging behind the EU - I wonder if we'll ever catch up. Uloric is made by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
HIPAA
We've all heard the term HIPAA. How often do we stop to think what it means?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Your health data is probably secure. However, is it portable? What are you doing to make it portable so that it's available wherever you are? If you haven't signed up for a personal health record (PHR) service, you may want to look into that. Google Health or Microsoft HealthVault?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Your health data is probably secure. However, is it portable? What are you doing to make it portable so that it's available wherever you are? If you haven't signed up for a personal health record (PHR) service, you may want to look into that. Google Health or Microsoft HealthVault?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab and GC Verizon aGPS.cab
These are essential components if you'd like to enable the aGPS on your XV6800:
Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab
GC Verizon aGPS.cab
Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab
GC Verizon aGPS.cab
Installing Custom ROM All Over Again to Enable the GPS
I wasn't planning on this, but the 4-way navigation buttons on my XV6800 have failed. Therefore, it's time to go through the circus again and install a new BootLoader, a new radio ROM, and a new custom ROM so that I can use the internal GPS that's disabled by Verizon Wireless.
I'm debating whether I should attempt to install the beta version of Windows Mobile 6.5. I don't have the luxury of spending too much time on this. I mainly need a dependable working phone. I tether and I use the aGPS (assisted GPS) for driving. The aGPS allows for super-fast satellite acquisition.
OQO model 02+
Do you plan on getting one? There's a tight knit community of OQO users on OQO Talk. Among them, it seems like 34% have either ordered one or plan to order one. That's dedication!
I don't personally plan on ordering a model 02+ right now. The OQO is a great little device, but it's not as practical for me as some of my other UMPCs. Therefore, I will stick with what I have and maybe I'll upgrade one of them in 2010. By then, most (if not all) will be running Windows 7 and devices should be much faster overall.
Medicare and Care Coordination - a disappointing study in JAMA
There's an interesting article in JAMA this month. It's titled, "Effects of Care Coordination on Hospitalization, Quality of Care, and Health Care Expenditures Among Medicare Beneficiaries"
Here's the bottom line: Care coordination programs don't seem to reduce healthcare costs among Medicare beneficiaries. This is very disappointing since you would hope that patient education would improve clinical outcomes. In this instance, nurses were contacting patients roughly twice each month. Since the patients mainly had heart failure, heart disease, and diabetes, these were patients with significant medical problems.
In my opinion, patient education that only occurs twice per month is not enough. We now have ways to automate and tailor messages. These can be sent via phone, SMS, e-mail, and a variety of other ways. When this study was designed, these resources may not have been refined like they are now. I'm sure a better study could be conducted that utilizes some of these automated technologies. After all, now we have older patients with implanted defibrillators living at home where wireless data is being captured and sent to clinicians in hospitals and offices. These types of systems can all be integrated with a robust care coordination program that can alert patients when they need to make some changes in their lifestyle before they end up being hospitalized.
NonClinicalJobs.com
Please visit this new URL for my dedicated blog about non-clinical jobs, opportunities, and careers for physicians and other healthcare professionals:
http://www.nonclinicaljobs.com/
I hope you'll find some of the information useful.
http://www.nonclinicaljobs.com/
I hope you'll find some of the information useful.
Experimental Advanced Prosthetic Arm Systems
I've always loved biomedical engineering. When I went to MIT, I thought I was going to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. Now, the concept of biomedical engineering has evolved in bioengineering (tissue, molecular, and genetic biology) and of course you still have people working in biomechanical engineering (that would have been my choice many years ago).
There's a really neat story in JAMA about patients using experimental advanced prosthetic arms. Does this remind you of a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger? I love the Terminator series. I think it's great to see advances in engineering that are improving healthcare.
Mobile World Congress 2009
The Mobile World Congress is in Barcelona this year. Too bad it's not just right down the street. Wouldn't you like to have an excuse to travel to Spain? It looks like several companies are either announcing High Definition (HD) versions of their touch phones (like the Samsung Omnia HD). Others are moving from VGA to WVGA (like the HTC Touch Diamond 2 and the HTC Touch Pro 2). Will we establish a screen resolution standard for the next generation of smartphones? My prediction is that everything will eventually move to a widescreen format.
I wonder how mobile phone technology will change over the next two years. Right now we see 3G taking off on phones, laptops and notebooks, netbooks, and UMPCs. We see people using their mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot by streaming 3G data through the air. More laptops are coming equipped with a 3G card and built-in antenna. People are using their mobile phones to tether and get connected on their laptops.
I wonder how mobile phone technology will change over the next two years. Right now we see 3G taking off on phones, laptops and notebooks, netbooks, and UMPCs. We see people using their mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot by streaming 3G data through the air. More laptops are coming equipped with a 3G card and built-in antenna. People are using their mobile phones to tether and get connected on their laptops.
Windows Mobile 6.5: Touch Input
According to the folks over at Brighthand, Windows Mobile 6.5 is official. However, it may be a while before you see it out there (unless you happen to know some people at Microsoft). Of course, developers have been working on leaked ROMs that are based on Windows Mobile 6.5.
Smartphones are transitioning to finger-only input. The phones that are "business" or "professional" still have a hardware keyboard with physical buttons. But the vast majority of other phones running Windows Mobile are relying on screen-based touch input.
We've seen this phenomenon burst with the iPhone. Now we have the BlackBerry Storm. On the side of Windows Mobile, we have Samsung with the Omnia and HTC with the Touch Diamond, Fuze, and Touch Pro (which is a slider with a keyboard). LG has the Incite.
So are you ready to transition to a phone that only has a touch screen? Can you live without a hardware keyboard? How will this impact your search for drugs when you're using Epocrates? What if you're typing an email or editing a contact?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Physician Disability
You may be surprised to know that a physician may claim disability and continue to work in a non-clinical setting. Physician disability insurance can be very specific about your specialty. So, if you're a disabled surgeon and you change your line of work and start seeing patients as a non-surgical primary care physician, you may still qualify for medical disability since you're no longer able to operate.
Sounds interesting, doesn't it?
Furthermore, if you're a disabled physician, you may find yourself doing some non-clinical things like medical writing, consulting, teaching, and research. You may still qualify for disability since you're no longer working in direct patient care.
Sounds interesting, doesn't it?
Furthermore, if you're a disabled physician, you may find yourself doing some non-clinical things like medical writing, consulting, teaching, and research. You may still qualify for disability since you're no longer working in direct patient care.
The Healthcare IT Language
The healthcare IT world uses a totally different language. Remember when you were a medical student and you had to learn acronyms like BID, PO, TID, QHS, and PRN? That was just the beginning.
Well, if you're interested in healthcare IT, get familiar with many more acronyms. Here's a brief teaser:
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
EHR: Electronic Health Record
EMR: Electronic Medical Record
CDA: Clinical Document Architecture
CPT: Current Procedural Terminology
HL7: Health Level Seven
ICD-9: International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
NLM: National Library of Medicine
XML: The Extensible Markup Language
Now, if you can define these acronyms, then that's great! However, can you explain what each represents? That's where it can get quite complex. Also, can you really drill down into the current issues that surround the complex Health IT challenges?
Well, if you're interested in healthcare IT, get familiar with many more acronyms. Here's a brief teaser:
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
EHR: Electronic Health Record
EMR: Electronic Medical Record
CDA: Clinical Document Architecture
CPT: Current Procedural Terminology
HL7: Health Level Seven
ICD-9: International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
NLM: National Library of Medicine
XML: The Extensible Markup Language
Now, if you can define these acronyms, then that's great! However, can you explain what each represents? That's where it can get quite complex. Also, can you really drill down into the current issues that surround the complex Health IT challenges?
Non-Clinical Medical Opportunities for Physicians and Other Clinicians
updated again on 9/15/2011
For more info, please visit (and bookmark) my other website that is devoted to non-clinical opportunities:
http://www.NonClinicalJobs.com
If you're a physician and you're considering a non-clinical career, you may be wondering about all the opportunities out there. I get asked about this all the time. Over the years, I've had a chance to meet different physicians working in various companies and industries.
The following may apply even if you're not a physician. If you're a clinician (nurse, nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant, medical assistant, medical researcher, podiatrist, physical therapist, psychologist, counselor, etc.), many of these opportunities may still be appropriate for you.
First, ask yourself what you enjoy. After all, if you don't enjoy clinical medicine, you don't want to end up doing something else you're not going to enjoy. Then, start networking like crazy. Leverage all the online social networking sites (like LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo, etc.) and get reconnected with old colleagues, classmates, and friends. Find out what people are doing. They may help you get connected to some key people. You may find some of the best opportunities this way. If you're a woman, you may want to check out MomMD (www.mommd.com) and join a community of women who are seeking non-clinical opportunities ranging from part-time to full-time work.
The following list of opportunities is clearly non-exhaustive and many of these areas have significant overlap. This list is based on my personal interactions with people in these roles and as I meet more people, this list grows.
Here is my growing list of non-clinical opportunities for physicians (not in any particular order).
1. Healthcare administration, medical management, hospital administration, managed care - Are you a seasoned healthcare executive? Do you enjoy making administrative decisions? Then join the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) and run a hospital or a managed care organization. If you have a strong interest in managed care, then check out the NAMCP (National Association of Managed Care Physicians). You may want to get an MBA or an MMM (masters in medical management) if you don't already have one. An active US medical license is required for most (if not all) of these positions.
2. VC (venture capital), finance, Wall Street, market research, etc. - Got an MBA? If not, are you thinking of getting one? Some will argue that once you have an "M.D." after your name, it may not matter as much where you get your MBA. However, I would argue that your MBA is your path to networking opportunities, so where you get your MBA is critical if you want to have a solid network. Once you get your MBA, you can work for venture capital (VC) firms, dig into market research companies, or work for Wall Street. Heard of the Gerson Lehrman Group (www.glgroup.com)? No clinical experience necessary for many of these opportunities, but it's always helpful so that you can effectively communicate with KOLs (key opinion leaders) in the field. Many joint MD/MBA students have ventured directly into very successful careers this way. Also, an MBA is not necessary if you have some good business skills and understand the healthcare industry. You will need strong people skills and a willingness to work long hours.
3. Writing and medical communications (includes promotional education, certified CME/CE, consumer health education, and much more) - Do you enjoy writing? Many physicians and non-physicians have very successful careers as medical writers. The field is open to people who enjoy fiction writing, publications, research, or other types of writing. You can get involved working on journal publications, developing promotional content for marketing campaigns, or developing CME programs. Join the AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) and look for opportunities. You can work from home as a freelance writer and have a very flexible schedule. Or, you can work for a publisher or another type of healthcare communications company. You can find a list of some companies by looking at the North American Association of Medical Education and Communication Companies, Inc., (NAAMECC) website. No clinical experience necessary.
4. Technology and Informatics (health information technology, healthcare informatics, EHR/EMR, PHR) - Want to develop or improve an electronic health record (EHR) system? Do you love informatics? Then join the CCHIT (Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology), the AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association), and the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Clinicians use EHRs and patients (or consumers) use PHRs (Personal Health Records). There are many companies attempting to integrate the data between PHRs and EHRs. There is a national initiative to improve and standardize public health informatics, so now is a great time to enter this industry. No clinical experience necessary, but you should be familiar with ICD, CPT, and other billing codes used in this industry.
5. Disease management, Personal health record (PHR) - Managed care organizations (MCOs) are always looking for better disease management (DM) programs for their plans. Some MCOs develop their own DM plans and others outsource them to external companies. These companies create and deliver various services to managed care organizations, including DM, wellness programs, personal health record (PHR) services, etc. Do you ever get educational pamphlets from your own health plan? Who puts them together? Who designs and develops these wellness and preventive health programs? It's not always WebMD. There are other companies that provide similar services.
6. Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology/Medical Device - If you're a medical specialist, there are many opportunities to do research for these companies. If you don't enjoy research, then you can develop marketing strategies. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements have become very popular these days. See all those ads in the medical journals? Get ready for that "corporate America" lifestyle if you plan to venture into industry. You may be working even more hours and carrying a Blackberry instead of a pager, but if you climb that "corporate ladder" and play the corporate game, you may qualify for an early retirement. Young people who are fast learners may be very aggressive and advance rapidly. Be prepared to have a younger boss if you're a seasoned clinician.
7. Independent medical examiner (IME), Expert witnessing, and Legal medicine - Personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home care, etc. There are firms that specialize in specific areas (like nursing home cases). Want more information? Join the American College of Legal Medicine (ACLM). You can also become board certified by the American Board of Legal Medicine (ABLM).
8. Public health, population health, health policy, and government health - Get an MPH, join the APHA (American Public Health Association), and find a local health department. Or, join the CDC and travel the world. Develop strategies to improve population health. Some pharmaceutical companies also have public health sections and are very devoted to public health and international health (Pfizer in particular comes to mind). Bridge gaps in healthcare disparities. Work for the FDA or a state or local health agency.
9. Consulting - The world is open. Want to work for yourself or for a company? Many healthcare companies are looking for experts to help them develop, refine, and improve their products and services. It may be hard to get started unless you've already established connections. Once again, social networking becomes critical. Your initial success will depend more on who you know.
10. Research - Academia vs. private vs. industry vs. CRO. You don't have to go into industry to do research. Look for a Contract Research Organization (CRO) in your area. Join the ACRO (Association of Clinical Research Organizations). You may want to look at PPD (no, this is not the TB skin test). PPD is a large global CRO. Of course, there are also many other CROs.
11. Executive recruiting, search firm, headhunting, human resources - Physicians can work as an executive recruiter to hire and place other physicians. You can also work your way up and manage other recruiters who do the hiring. Remember, these 'head hunters' get paid a commission based on the salary of the person they place. The $ earning potential can be tremendous if you're successful.
12. Start a company - Have an innovative idea? Start a company! New companies seem to be sprouting all the time. Stay connected with people and keep your eyes open for new ideas. Get an MBA and meet people who can help you get a concept off the ground.
Not sure where to start? As I mentioned above, start building your social and professional network. Reconnect with people and ask many questions. Find people who are in various positions and ask them what they like/dislike.
Join some associations to build your network and to find companies. Note that some associations are specifically for physicians, but many are open to all types of healthcare professionals. Also, even those that are specifically for physicians (such as the ACPE) offer affiliate memberships for certain non-physicians.
ABLM: American Board of Legal Medicine
ACHE: American College of Healthcare Executives
ACLM: American College of Legal Medicine
ACPE: American College of Physician Executives
ACRO: Association of Clinical Research Organizations
AMDIS: Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems
AHIMA: American Health Information Management Association
AMIA: American Medical Informatics Association
AMWA: American Medical Writers Association
APHA: American Public Health Association
CCHIT: Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
NAMCP: National Association of Managed Care Physicians
SoPE: Society of Physician Entrepreneurs
Thinking about getting an MBA? Read articles related to the MBA here.
I hope some of this is helpful. I'm always revising this as new information comes in, so check back to see what's new.
For more info, please visit (and bookmark) my other website that is devoted to non-clinical opportunities:
http://www.NonClinicalJobs.com
For more info, please visit (and bookmark) my other website that is devoted to non-clinical opportunities:
http://www.NonClinicalJobs.com
If you're a physician and you're considering a non-clinical career, you may be wondering about all the opportunities out there. I get asked about this all the time. Over the years, I've had a chance to meet different physicians working in various companies and industries.
The following may apply even if you're not a physician. If you're a clinician (nurse, nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant, medical assistant, medical researcher, podiatrist, physical therapist, psychologist, counselor, etc.), many of these opportunities may still be appropriate for you.
First, ask yourself what you enjoy. After all, if you don't enjoy clinical medicine, you don't want to end up doing something else you're not going to enjoy. Then, start networking like crazy. Leverage all the online social networking sites (like LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo, etc.) and get reconnected with old colleagues, classmates, and friends. Find out what people are doing. They may help you get connected to some key people. You may find some of the best opportunities this way. If you're a woman, you may want to check out MomMD (www.mommd.com) and join a community of women who are seeking non-clinical opportunities ranging from part-time to full-time work.
The following list of opportunities is clearly non-exhaustive and many of these areas have significant overlap. This list is based on my personal interactions with people in these roles and as I meet more people, this list grows.
Here is my growing list of non-clinical opportunities for physicians (not in any particular order).
1. Healthcare administration, medical management, hospital administration, managed care - Are you a seasoned healthcare executive? Do you enjoy making administrative decisions? Then join the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) and run a hospital or a managed care organization. If you have a strong interest in managed care, then check out the NAMCP (National Association of Managed Care Physicians). You may want to get an MBA or an MMM (masters in medical management) if you don't already have one. An active US medical license is required for most (if not all) of these positions.
2. VC (venture capital), finance, Wall Street, market research, etc. - Got an MBA? If not, are you thinking of getting one? Some will argue that once you have an "M.D." after your name, it may not matter as much where you get your MBA. However, I would argue that your MBA is your path to networking opportunities, so where you get your MBA is critical if you want to have a solid network. Once you get your MBA, you can work for venture capital (VC) firms, dig into market research companies, or work for Wall Street. Heard of the Gerson Lehrman Group (www.glgroup.com)? No clinical experience necessary for many of these opportunities, but it's always helpful so that you can effectively communicate with KOLs (key opinion leaders) in the field. Many joint MD/MBA students have ventured directly into very successful careers this way. Also, an MBA is not necessary if you have some good business skills and understand the healthcare industry. You will need strong people skills and a willingness to work long hours.
3. Writing and medical communications (includes promotional education, certified CME/CE, consumer health education, and much more) - Do you enjoy writing? Many physicians and non-physicians have very successful careers as medical writers. The field is open to people who enjoy fiction writing, publications, research, or other types of writing. You can get involved working on journal publications, developing promotional content for marketing campaigns, or developing CME programs. Join the AMWA (American Medical Writers Association) and look for opportunities. You can work from home as a freelance writer and have a very flexible schedule. Or, you can work for a publisher or another type of healthcare communications company. You can find a list of some companies by looking at the North American Association of Medical Education and Communication Companies, Inc., (NAAMECC) website. No clinical experience necessary.
4. Technology and Informatics (health information technology, healthcare informatics, EHR/EMR, PHR) - Want to develop or improve an electronic health record (EHR) system? Do you love informatics? Then join the CCHIT (Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology), the AMIA (American Medical Informatics Association), and the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Clinicians use EHRs and patients (or consumers) use PHRs (Personal Health Records). There are many companies attempting to integrate the data between PHRs and EHRs. There is a national initiative to improve and standardize public health informatics, so now is a great time to enter this industry. No clinical experience necessary, but you should be familiar with ICD, CPT, and other billing codes used in this industry.
5. Disease management, Personal health record (PHR) - Managed care organizations (MCOs) are always looking for better disease management (DM) programs for their plans. Some MCOs develop their own DM plans and others outsource them to external companies. These companies create and deliver various services to managed care organizations, including DM, wellness programs, personal health record (PHR) services, etc. Do you ever get educational pamphlets from your own health plan? Who puts them together? Who designs and develops these wellness and preventive health programs? It's not always WebMD. There are other companies that provide similar services.
6. Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology/Medical Device - If you're a medical specialist, there are many opportunities to do research for these companies. If you don't enjoy research, then you can develop marketing strategies. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements have become very popular these days. See all those ads in the medical journals? Get ready for that "corporate America" lifestyle if you plan to venture into industry. You may be working even more hours and carrying a Blackberry instead of a pager, but if you climb that "corporate ladder" and play the corporate game, you may qualify for an early retirement. Young people who are fast learners may be very aggressive and advance rapidly. Be prepared to have a younger boss if you're a seasoned clinician.
7. Independent medical examiner (IME), Expert witnessing, and Legal medicine - Personal injury, medical malpractice, nursing home care, etc. There are firms that specialize in specific areas (like nursing home cases). Want more information? Join the American College of Legal Medicine (ACLM). You can also become board certified by the American Board of Legal Medicine (ABLM).
8. Public health, population health, health policy, and government health - Get an MPH, join the APHA (American Public Health Association), and find a local health department. Or, join the CDC and travel the world. Develop strategies to improve population health. Some pharmaceutical companies also have public health sections and are very devoted to public health and international health (Pfizer in particular comes to mind). Bridge gaps in healthcare disparities. Work for the FDA or a state or local health agency.
9. Consulting - The world is open. Want to work for yourself or for a company? Many healthcare companies are looking for experts to help them develop, refine, and improve their products and services. It may be hard to get started unless you've already established connections. Once again, social networking becomes critical. Your initial success will depend more on who you know.
10. Research - Academia vs. private vs. industry vs. CRO. You don't have to go into industry to do research. Look for a Contract Research Organization (CRO) in your area. Join the ACRO (Association of Clinical Research Organizations). You may want to look at PPD (no, this is not the TB skin test). PPD is a large global CRO. Of course, there are also many other CROs.
11. Executive recruiting, search firm, headhunting, human resources - Physicians can work as an executive recruiter to hire and place other physicians. You can also work your way up and manage other recruiters who do the hiring. Remember, these 'head hunters' get paid a commission based on the salary of the person they place. The $ earning potential can be tremendous if you're successful.
12. Start a company - Have an innovative idea? Start a company! New companies seem to be sprouting all the time. Stay connected with people and keep your eyes open for new ideas. Get an MBA and meet people who can help you get a concept off the ground.
Not sure where to start? As I mentioned above, start building your social and professional network. Reconnect with people and ask many questions. Find people who are in various positions and ask them what they like/dislike.
Join some associations to build your network and to find companies. Note that some associations are specifically for physicians, but many are open to all types of healthcare professionals. Also, even those that are specifically for physicians (such as the ACPE) offer affiliate memberships for certain non-physicians.
ABLM: American Board of Legal Medicine
ACHE: American College of Healthcare Executives
ACLM: American College of Legal Medicine
ACPE: American College of Physician Executives
ACRO: Association of Clinical Research Organizations
AMDIS: Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems
AHIMA: American Health Information Management Association
AMIA: American Medical Informatics Association
AMWA: American Medical Writers Association
APHA: American Public Health Association
CCHIT: Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
NAMCP: National Association of Managed Care Physicians
SoPE: Society of Physician Entrepreneurs
Thinking about getting an MBA? Read articles related to the MBA here.
I hope some of this is helpful. I'm always revising this as new information comes in, so check back to see what's new.
For more info, please visit (and bookmark) my other website that is devoted to non-clinical opportunities:
http://www.NonClinicalJobs.com
Question re: opportunities if I don't finish my residency
I got another question today from a resident (a physician in training, not someone living in a skilled nursing facility). The question had to do with career opportunities for people who don't complete a medical or surgical residency. Since I get asked this quite often, I write about my response.
Here was my reply:
I hope I can provide some help since I know quite a few people who've been in similar situations. Let me start by saying that the types of non-clinical opportunities can vary depending on where you live. How open are you to relocating?
The next issue is more of a practical one: do you have student loans? If not, then you have tremendous flexibility to explore and find the "perfect" job for you. However, if you're burdened by student loans, then you have to make some career decisions based on the practical reality of loan repayment (unless you have other sources of income such as family, spouse, etc.)
You're absolutely right in saying that you would have many more opportunities if you complete your residency and become board certified in a medical or surgical speciality. However, life in residency can be very miserable and it can also change people in different ways so you have to know yourself and the type of things you're able and willing to personally handle. People with unhealthy coping skills may find themselves addicted to drugs and alcohol and heading down a very dangerous one-way path. I'm not suggesting that's going to happen to you, but I always like to emphasize the importance of coping with the strenuous work hours, the tremendous pressures, and the emotional burdens that are commonly encountered in the clinical setting.
Also remember that residency dramatically changes after your internship year. Instead of being the scut monkey who has to run around everywhere, you have more responsibility in teaching and guiding your team. With that added responsibility comes different pressures. Will that be a relief or an added burden for you compared to internship? Many people report that their 2nd year of residency was so much better compared to the first. Also, are you in the "right program?" I'm sure you're aware of how certain programs have a reputation for being very malignant while others are very "cush." Have you beein in touch with your friends and colleagues from medical school? What is life like for them?
Medical communications is very broad. I write about some of the basics here in my blog:
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/2009/02/world-of-medical-education.html
I've also written about CME here:
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/search/label/cme
I've also written a little bit about opportunities for people with no residency experience:
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/search/label/residency
I'd be happy to share more with you as you develop more specific questions about the world of medical communications.
As for working the working environment - this can be a tricky one. You have to assess the culture of each company. The corporate world can be harsh and people may easily work more than 80 hrs/week (you thought residency had long hours!). However, there are companies that are very family-friendly where people stay for many years (hence, they have a very low turnover rate). The most flexible path is to be a freelance medical writer or consultant. You don't need any residency experience to be an excellent medical writer. Some of the best writers are scientists, pharmacists, and nurses. You need strong writing skills and you have to be very motivated.
My final word of advice - discuss this matter with your program director sooner than later. He/she may provide you with some great advice and guidance. However, keep in mind that this individual may not be very knowledgeable about non-clinical opportunities.
Perhaps we can discuss this some more after you've had a chance to think about all these issues. I wish you the best and hope that you'll stay in touch.
Here was my reply:
I hope I can provide some help since I know quite a few people who've been in similar situations. Let me start by saying that the types of non-clinical opportunities can vary depending on where you live. How open are you to relocating?
The next issue is more of a practical one: do you have student loans? If not, then you have tremendous flexibility to explore and find the "perfect" job for you. However, if you're burdened by student loans, then you have to make some career decisions based on the practical reality of loan repayment (unless you have other sources of income such as family, spouse, etc.)
You're absolutely right in saying that you would have many more opportunities if you complete your residency and become board certified in a medical or surgical speciality. However, life in residency can be very miserable and it can also change people in different ways so you have to know yourself and the type of things you're able and willing to personally handle. People with unhealthy coping skills may find themselves addicted to drugs and alcohol and heading down a very dangerous one-way path. I'm not suggesting that's going to happen to you, but I always like to emphasize the importance of coping with the strenuous work hours, the tremendous pressures, and the emotional burdens that are commonly encountered in the clinical setting.
Also remember that residency dramatically changes after your internship year. Instead of being the scut monkey who has to run around everywhere, you have more responsibility in teaching and guiding your team. With that added responsibility comes different pressures. Will that be a relief or an added burden for you compared to internship? Many people report that their 2nd year of residency was so much better compared to the first. Also, are you in the "right program?" I'm sure you're aware of how certain programs have a reputation for being very malignant while others are very "cush." Have you beein in touch with your friends and colleagues from medical school? What is life like for them?
Medical communications is very broad. I write about some of the basics here in my blog:
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/2009/02/world-of-medical-education.html
I've also written about CME here:
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/search/label/cme
I've also written a little bit about opportunities for people with no residency experience:
http://mdjosephkim.blogspot.com/search/label/residency
I'd be happy to share more with you as you develop more specific questions about the world of medical communications.
As for working the working environment - this can be a tricky one. You have to assess the culture of each company. The corporate world can be harsh and people may easily work more than 80 hrs/week (you thought residency had long hours!). However, there are companies that are very family-friendly where people stay for many years (hence, they have a very low turnover rate). The most flexible path is to be a freelance medical writer or consultant. You don't need any residency experience to be an excellent medical writer. Some of the best writers are scientists, pharmacists, and nurses. You need strong writing skills and you have to be very motivated.
My final word of advice - discuss this matter with your program director sooner than later. He/she may provide you with some great advice and guidance. However, keep in mind that this individual may not be very knowledgeable about non-clinical opportunities.
Perhaps we can discuss this some more after you've had a chance to think about all these issues. I wish you the best and hope that you'll stay in touch.
Question re: opportunities in medical communications and CME
I got a question the other day re: opportunities in medical communications and CME
Here was my response:
Non-clinical opportunities tend to be regional. If you live in the northeast, you are surrounded by medical communications companies. They tend to cluster around pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, so you'll also find some in the west coast, Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and several other cities. This doesn't mean that you can't have a chance if you don't live in those areas.
Many people become very successful as freelance medical writers living anywhere in the country. A really useful resource for medical writing is the AMWA. You can join and get involved in many different ways. It's always hard to start as a freelancer, but if you're a strong writer, you'll find opportunities. To learn more about the CME industry, I'd encourage you to check out the Alliance for CME and NAAMECC.
Here was my response:
Non-clinical opportunities tend to be regional. If you live in the northeast, you are surrounded by medical communications companies. They tend to cluster around pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, so you'll also find some in the west coast, Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and several other cities. This doesn't mean that you can't have a chance if you don't live in those areas.
Many people become very successful as freelance medical writers living anywhere in the country. A really useful resource for medical writing is the AMWA. You can join and get involved in many different ways. It's always hard to start as a freelancer, but if you're a strong writer, you'll find opportunities. To learn more about the CME industry, I'd encourage you to check out the Alliance for CME and NAAMECC.
Non-Clinical Healthcare Opportunities
According to some job sites, here are some of the common non-clinical healthcare opportunities that are out there:
- Medical Receptionists
- Medical Collection Specialists
- Medical Billers (Medicaid,Medicare)
- Medical Coders (Medicaid, Medicare)
- Insurance Verifiers
- Schedulers
- Medical Receptionists
- Medical Collection Specialists
- Medical Billers (Medicaid,Medicare)
- Medical Coders (Medicaid, Medicare)
- Insurance Verifiers
- Schedulers
Non-Clinical Medicine
To many people (including myself), the phrase "non-clinical medicine" sounds a bit odd. After all, the practice of medicine is clinical in nature.
Can you image the following conversation?
Q: "So what type of medicine do you practice?"
A: "I practice non-clinical medicine."
Q: "Oh, you mean like radiology or pathology?"
See, many people equate clinical medicine to seeing and treating patients. So if you're not actively engaged in direct patient contact and patient care, does that mean you're practicing non-clinical medicine? Not necessarily. The answer to the question above could also sound like this:
A: "No, I work behind in a company developing population-based disease management programs for managed care organizations."
or,
A: "No, I work in a medical education company developing continuing education programs for physicians, pharmacists, and nurses."
or,
A: "No, I now work in Wall Street"
or,
A: "No, I now work for the marketing division of a pharmaceutical company"
or,
A: "No, I work on developing market research surveys on different therapeutic topics."
or,
A: "No, I now work as a medical news reporter."
To some, the phrase "non-clinical medicine" means that you sit in an office and have full-time administrative duties. And yet to others, "non-clinical medicine" just means that you're no longer engaged in anything that directly relates with patient care.
Are public health physicians working in non-clinical medicine? Population health issues may conflict with direct patient care issues since population medicine needs to weigh decisions against the "greater good." Direct patient care is individualized medicine.
I've gone on quite a tangent, but the point I'd like to return to is this: non-clinical medicine is a very broad phrase that means different things to different people. So don't make any automatic assumptions about someone's career if they tell you that they are now engaged in pursuing a non-clinical career.
Can you image the following conversation?
Q: "So what type of medicine do you practice?"
A: "I practice non-clinical medicine."
Q: "Oh, you mean like radiology or pathology?"
See, many people equate clinical medicine to seeing and treating patients. So if you're not actively engaged in direct patient contact and patient care, does that mean you're practicing non-clinical medicine? Not necessarily. The answer to the question above could also sound like this:
A: "No, I work behind in a company developing population-based disease management programs for managed care organizations."
or,
A: "No, I work in a medical education company developing continuing education programs for physicians, pharmacists, and nurses."
or,
A: "No, I now work in Wall Street"
or,
A: "No, I now work for the marketing division of a pharmaceutical company"
or,
A: "No, I work on developing market research surveys on different therapeutic topics."
or,
A: "No, I now work as a medical news reporter."
To some, the phrase "non-clinical medicine" means that you sit in an office and have full-time administrative duties. And yet to others, "non-clinical medicine" just means that you're no longer engaged in anything that directly relates with patient care.
Are public health physicians working in non-clinical medicine? Population health issues may conflict with direct patient care issues since population medicine needs to weigh decisions against the "greater good." Direct patient care is individualized medicine.
I've gone on quite a tangent, but the point I'd like to return to is this: non-clinical medicine is a very broad phrase that means different things to different people. So don't make any automatic assumptions about someone's career if they tell you that they are now engaged in pursuing a non-clinical career.
Mobile Google Health
Anvita will provide a mobile platform for Google Health. Apparently this was announced the Towards the Electronic Patient Record (TEPR+) conference earlier this month. Google is really taking off with this and I wonder what Microsoft is doing with HealthVault to maintain a competitive edge.
MBA pay according to BusinessWeek 2009
MBA pay according to BusinessWeek. It's there in case you're ever interested in quoting numbers. I don't think you'll ever see a chart like this for physicians who have an MBA. I think the salary range would be way too broad.
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