Non-Clinical Careers: Academia

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If you are considering a pivot away from a clinical role, you may want to consider calling your local university. Teaching is one of the most accessible non-clinical career paths. This shift offers a unique opportunity to mold the next generation of healthcare professionals, engage in groundbreaking research, and contribute to the broader medical community. There are over 4000 colleges in the US and healthcare professionals are not limited to medical schools as sources of employment. However, like any career move, it comes with its own set of challenges and rewards.

Perks of an Academic Career:

1. Influence and Impact: Teaching allows you to shape the minds and careers of future healthcare workers, leaving a lasting legacy in the field. Most people can readily identify a professor or preceptor who was an influential mentor in the formative years of training. Education provides a "force multiplier" effect, meaning an individual's efforts will achieve greater impact as a result of their role. Do you feel strongly that healthcare isn't teaching the association of diet and disease effectively? Accepting a faculty role would help you change that narrative with a greater reach than your voice alone.

2. Flexibility and Autonomy: Academia often offers more flexible schedules than clinical settings, allowing for a better work-life balance. While many healthcare schools have students and classes year-round, most schools will have breaks around major holidays. Importantly, these holiday breaks usually align with primary or secondary education breaks, meaning fewer childcare headaches for working parents. Academic positions may also offer protected research time or even opportunities for sabbaticals. For more on sabbaticals, check out our recent podcast episode with Shayne Foley, MS, PA-C

3. Research Opportunities: Engage in research that can lead to significant advancements in healthcare and public health. There has been a worrying trend of clinical healthcare professionals moving away from research . In an AAMC survey, only 14% of physicians engage in research.

The number of non-academic physicians in research is even lower at 8%. Fewer data are available regarding non-physician healthcare professions, but it is safe to assume the rates of research engagement in other healthcare fields are even lower. Research is a critical part of the healthcare sector and ensures that we continue to evolve and innovate. If you have a research interest, pursuing a role in academia is likely the easiest path toward protected research time.

4. Professional Growth: Continuous learning and development through conferences, seminars, and collaborations with fellow academics. While professional growth opportunities are available in other healthcare roles, the academic field has a long and rich history of prioritizing professional development for faculty.

Downsides of an Academic Career:

1. Pressure to Publish: The adage "publish or perish" holds in academia. Your advancement often hinges on your ability to produce high-quality research and publications, which can be both time-consuming and stressful. Despite a greater emphasis on research, only a minority of academics are engaged in original research (see AAMC data above). This can lead to a stressful paradox for young faculty members: To advance your career you must publish, but the opportunities to publish original research may also be limited. In a recent newsletter, we spoke with Harrison Reed regarding opportunities to publish posters and other "low-hanging fruit."

2. Funding Challenges: Securing grants and funding for research can be competitive and daunting. If you bring in grant money, your institution may see you as a rockstar, and autonomy and flexibility to "call your shots" will be high. If you struggle to obtain funding, the administration may not support your endeavors and you may be stuck teaching Biology 101 to undergrads. Funding is a difficult area of academia as research interests may not align with industry or NIH priorities.

3. Potential for Reduced Clinical Practice: Depending on your role, there may be less time for hands-on patient care, which can be a significant shift for those passionate about direct patient interaction. Most institutions have protected clinical time for full-time faculty, but working one day a week in a clinic will risk skill deterioration. Many of us have probably encountered full-time academics who seem out of touch with the daily nuances of clinical practice. It is difficult to maintain both career tracks, although many institutions will support faculty who work to maintain their clinical skill set.

4. Navigating Academic Politics: Like any workplace, universities have their politics and bureaucracies, which can be challenging to navigate. Unlike other workplaces, the security of tenure may cause faculty disagreements or politics to simmer unresolved for extended periods due to reduced professional turnover.

Next Steps for Transitioning to a Teaching Career in Healthcare:

1. Evaluate Your Passion and Skills: Reflect on your love for teaching, mentoring, and research. Consider how these align with your current clinical skills and experience. Do not limit your self-assessment to academic roles within your profession. One of my favorite professors at Daemen University was a physician who teaches anatomy for all the healthcare professions. (Thanks for passing me Gary Styn, Jr., MD ). Healthcare professionals have skills and knowledge that are valuable in many academic programs and don't think small while contemplating different academic paths.

2. Pursue Further Education: Depending on your current qualifications, you may need additional training or certifications in education or research methods. Most post-secondary schools will prefer or even require a terminal degree. If you are confident that academics is your career path, a research (Ph.D.) or education (EdD) oriented doctorate may be advantageous. Here is a good article regarding education-specific doctorates .

3. Network with Academics: Connect with professionals already in academia to gain insights and advice. A good starting point is your alma mater. Attend academic conferences and workshops to intentionally build your network.

4. Start Small: Consider part-time or adjunct positions to experience academia without fully committing immediately. In healthcare, one of the best ways to gain educational experience is through precepting. Teaching students clinically allows you to build a relationship with the school while establishing yourself as a competent teacher. Check out our recent podcast episode and newsletter on precepting in an era of rapid changes to education.

5. Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor in academia who can guide you through the transition and offer advice on navigating the pressures of publishing and grant writing.

Remember, transitioning to an academic career is a significant but rewarding step. It allows you to contribute to the future of healthcare profoundly, shaping policies, practices, and the minds of those who will carry your legacy forward. While many non-clinical career options are limited, teaching positions are available in nearly every institution.

Warm regards,

Michael Asbach

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