For many doctors, the love of clinical medicine and patient care runs deep, but the burden of managing a large number of patients daily with limited time for each can be overwhelming.
If you’re a physician who still wants to care for patients but desires more freedom—particularly the flexibility to live and work from anywhere—there are ways to achieve this balance. Here are four strategies that allow you to stay engaged in the work you love without the constraints of traditional healthcare settings.
1. Specialty Consulting
Specialty consulting allows you to leverage your expertise without being tied down to a traditional practice. For instance, if you’re a pediatric subspecialist, you can offer consulting services to general pediatric practices, specialty pediatric clinics, children’s hospitals, or even educational institutions.
This role allows you to provide critical insights and guidance to other providers and organizations, all while enjoying the flexibility of working remotely or traveling as you see fit. You can continue making a significant impact on patient care without the day-to-day responsibility of managing a patient population or being on site.
2. Turnkey Practices
Turnkey practices provide an excellent opportunity to care for patients without getting bogged down in administrative duties. In these setups, you can provide remote patient care while the practice handles all the management details, including electronic health records (EHRs), billing, marketing, and customer service.
Your primary focus is solely on the patient experience. This model allows you to continue practicing medicine with the support of a fully operational clinic, offering you the freedom to work from anywhere without the burden of running a practice.
3. Locum Tenens
Locum tenens is another option for doctors who love the variety and flexibility of traveling. In this role, you take on short-term assignments in different locations, allowing you to experience various healthcare settings and patient populations without being tied to one place.
Locum tenens assignments can range from a few weeks to several months, giving you the opportunity to explore different regions, enjoy diverse cultures, and avoid the long-term commitment of a traditional practice. This approach offers a unique blend of in-person clinical engagement and travel.
4. Health Coaching
If you’re passionate about patient care but want to step away from direct clinical responsibilities, health coaching might be the ideal path. As a health coach, you provide personalized guidance and support to clients within your specialized niche. This role typically involves helping clients achieve their health and wellness goals through education, motivation, and accountability.
Since health coaching doesn’t involve diagnosing, prescribing, or giving medical advice, it’s a perfect option for doctors who want to work virtually and focus on patient wellness without the clinical oversight required in traditional medicine.
Caring for patients without the administrative burden of traditional healthcare settings is possible. Whether you choose specialty consulting, turnkey practices, locum tenens, or niche coaching, these options allow you to continue making a difference in patients’ lives while enjoying the freedom to live and work on your terms. By exploring these alternatives, you can maintain (and even enhance) your passion for medicine while embracing a lifestyle that offers greater flexibility, balance, and location independence. Book your clarity call now to see which option aligns best with your desired lifestyle as a doctor.