This time last year, almost a third of surveyed physicians reported taking on extra work outside their practices to help maintain their incomes, according to a survey from Physicians Practice. The trend has continued, according to Medscape.
But becoming engaged in additional work--especially if it is different from a physician's day-to-day office routine--doesn't necessarily have to add stress. In fact, according to experts who spoke with Medscape, the right outside stimulus may even help physicians stave off burnout.
Here are a few examples of gigs that may boost not just docs' incomes, but their happiness as well:
- Cruise your way to extra cash. The monetary compensation for cruise physicians is modest, at about $150 a day, with the major perk being a free cruise for the doctor and his or her spouse. "It's an adventure," Charles Pexa, M.D., a Minneapolis-area emergency physician, told Medscape. "I can travel really inexpensively, and it's usually pleasant work. People on cruises are very easygoing." Most often, these patients need to be treated for simple aches and pains, Pexa said, adding that emergencies and challenging bacterial or viral outbreaks do happen.
- Staff a special event. In the warmer months, short-term locum tenens opportunities exist for physicians to staff music festivals and medical tents at races, walks and outdoor health fairs. While paid opportunities for these events are limited (many rely on medical volunteers), those that do pay do so competitively. Additionally, physicians get to practice in the fresh air while committing little of their personal time.
- Provide house calls. According to Lou Pavelchik, practice manager at M.D. at Home in Chicago, going on house calls appeals to three kinds of doctors: those just coming out of residency, those frustrated with the red tape of running a practice and semiretired physicians who are rolling back their practices. Rather than adding house calls to their own practices, which might not work with their business model, doctors can work for outside companies dedicated to providing this service part-time, earning an income of $50-$70 per visit, Medscape reported.
To learn more:
- read the Medscape article