A Doctor Retires (And Regrets It)
Locum Tenens is better for doctors than retirement by Dr. Gregory Charlop

A Doctor Retires (And Regrets It)

He didn’t expect this.

My friend Ronald hung up his white coat a few years ago and retired from medicine. It was the greatest day in his life, or so he thought.

Who can blame him for wanting to quit?

His last few years as an obstetric anesthesiologist were draining. Despite being in his 60s, he still had some overnight call. The 12-hour days, which used to be manageable, became insufferable. His younger colleagues, who started practicing decades after him, viewed Ronald with a nauseating mix of condensation and pity. Ageism in medicine is real.

When he retired, he and his wife jetted off to Puerto Rico and Europe for a well-deserved two-month vacation. It was spectacular! They met their family in San Juan, enjoyed the Piazza San Marco in Venice, and swam at the Plage des Marinières in France.

The trip was a dream fulfilled and one they couldn’t take while working.

Then he came home.

He caught up on chores, cleaned out his email inbox, and grew bored.

The trouble is, he didn’t have a clear post-retirement plan other than his vacation. He lacked meaning and purpose, and his limited hobbies weren’t enough to keep him occupied.

Thankfully, he contacted me because he knew I help doctors in this exact situation. We reviewed his goals and availability, and together, we decided that locum tenens would be perfect.

With locums, Ronald was able to work two days per week. His shifts are only eight hours, and he doesn’t have overnight call. His new colleagues are thrilled to have him since he fills in to give them days off. Plus, his malpractice insurance is included in his locum contract.

Ronald always loved caring for patients, and with locum tenens, he reclaimed his purpose. Since he finally achieved the holy grail of work-life balance, he has the energy to play doubles tennis with his wife and explore new restaurants with his grandchildren.

Would you like to learn more about locum tenens? Enroll in my Teachable Online Course.

Use code LOCUM to save $50.

Questions? Message me.

Your biggest fan,

Gregory Charlop, MD

Pelicans in Monterey, CA, by Dr. Gregory Charlop


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