Hold onto that medical license and keep your stethoscope handy!
If you’re thinking about leaving clinical practice, don’t retire that license too fast or stay out of practice too long – unless you‘re lock, stock and barrel sure you’re not going back. Even then, it’s wise to keep everything current.
You may be burned out, wanting more time with your children, or needing to care for elderly parents. Perhaps you’re shifting into administrative work or have been enticed away to a start-up company. You might only intend to be away from practice for a year, but then before you know it, 5 years or 10 years have passed, or more. Maybe your financial situation has changed. Is it too late to return?
What is required to return to practice?
Depending on how long you’ve been out, your specialty, and other factors, it could be as simple as making a few phone calls, or it could be harder than climbing a double Mount Everest to return. And as with summiting Everest, no one guarantees your success.
Dr. Christine Stone, an internal medicine physician was gone for 14 years before she decided to return to practice. In her blog, Reentry Physician, she chronicles her return to primary care, which took 27 months and cost $40,000. To begin practicing again, Dr. Stone had to get her license back, pass her board certification, find a preceptor willing to supervise her, and then find a job. Every step took longer and was more difficult than she anticipated, but she made it and offers her blog as a way to help other reentering doctors.
What are the challenges to reentry?
Where do I start? First of all, each state sets their own policy on reentry, and close to 50% of the medical boards do not have a formal reentry policy (AMA fact sheet on reentry). Per the AMA’s 2011 medical board survey, 2.8 years is the average length of time out of practice after which some type of reentry program is required.
Second, the programs for reentry are few and far between, and they are not inexpensive. Each program has different features, but at a minimum, they involve some type of assessment to determine the physician’s knowledge base and clinical competence. The assessment phase on average runs around $10,000. If there is a patient care component offered, it may be more of an observership or involve direct hands-on patient care. The fees for this phase can be $10 – $20,000+, not including living expenses.
Dr. Stone did the CPEP Program (Center for Personalized Education for Physicians). CPEP is for physicians from any specialty who left medicine in good standing and involves two phases. Phase 1 is an assessment of clinical skills and knowledge base. Phase 2 involves practice-based learning which is usually done in the physician’s home community. It’s the physician’s responsibility to find a preceptor (supervisor), and this can be daunting.
After getting a lot of “No’s” when trying to find a preceptor, and even wondering if after coming so far, she was going to fail to meet her goal, Dr. Stone finally found a preceptor through a personal connection and was able to fulfill her reentry requirements. She is now working again in primary care.
Dr. Gould, a psychiatrist who had been out of practice for years filling several executive roles in healthcare, did the CPEP program as well. He also had an incredibly hard time trying to find a preceptor for the necessary supervision. About his reentry process, Dr. Gould recounted,
“Prior to starting the process I requested a meeting with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, having submitted my basic credentials to them, and asked them outright if, with the proper re-training, would they be willing to license me. If not, I wouldn’t waste my or their time. They were generous in being willing to preview my application and told me if I worked with a company they knew and had confidence in, like CPEP, they would. So, I immediately contacted CPEP and did whatever they wanted me to do, so when I returned to the Board, I had their approval. Finding a clinical supervisor turned out to be the biggest problem in the whole process. I had my own malpractice insurance and was willing to pay a supervisor their hourly rate for supervisory time, but I needed some program that would let me see their patients as a mature trainee.”
After months of trying to find a supervisor, Dr. Gould’s persistence paid off and a connection from 20 years ago came through for him.
“All in all, Dr. Gould said, “the whole process took about 18 months and cost about $20,000.”
How About a Mini-Residency?
A reentry program in Texas has a solution to the challenges of finding a willing preceptor. The KSTAR/UTMB Reentry Program (A partnership of Texas A&M and The University of Texas Medical Branch) offers a mini onsite residency at UTMB in Galveston.
Physicians need to do a two-day assessment first to see if they qualify for the 3-month mini-residency. Most specialty and subspecialty programs will be possible for those who are eligible. Reentry physicians function as part of the medical team and have access to performing procedures. Liability insurance is available.
Another option is The Drexel Reentry Program in Philadelphia
Eligible specialties for the Drexel Program are internal medicine and subspecialties, pediatrics, OB/GYN, radiology, and anesthesia (other specialties may be possible). While there is no direct hands-on patient care, there is an extensive assessment followed by clinical rotations on the wards, simulated patient encounters, instruction, and feedback.
Lifeguard is a program in Harrisburg, PA open to physicians seeking reentry, including those who have been involved in disciplinary action or may not have finished a residency (depends on the state).
In an interesting twist on reentry, the Physician Retraining and Reentry Program (PRR) in California offers an online program for physicians wanting to reenter or transition into adult primary care. Physicians do not need to be from primary care to be eligible, and doctors from a variety of specialties, including surgery, have enrolled in this program. As a case in point, former urologist Dr. Michael LaRocque became restless in retirement and decided to do the PRR program. He now works as a primary care physician seeing patients at a federally qualified health center in California.
Is a formal reentry program necessary?
Every physician’s situation is different, depending on specialty, time away, state licensure, CME hours, etc. My recommendation is to find out what your state board requires.
One of my clients who left internal medicine for over a decade to raise her children just landed a great job at a progressive primary care clinic. She had kept her license active, and took an intensive Harvard Review Course to prepare for her boards, which she happily passed. She shared this information about her reentry for the blog,
“When I was starting my process, before I took my boards, I contacted Drexel, because I wanted to enroll. They told me to apply for jobs first, and if the employer required me to do a refresher program, to call them back. My current employer did not require me to do a refresher program. Before I started I did some shadowing of one of the primary care physicians. They are starting me slowly, seeing about 10 patients a day. So far, it’s been like riding a bike. My main questions are related to the EMR, and not clinical.”
If I’m transitioning to a non-clinical job, do I need an active license?
Many doctors are surprised to learn that a good number of non-clinical positions require an active license and even board-certification.
Do I need to keep clinically active to some degree?
If you are in a nonclinical job and are able to do some intermittent patient care (locums, volunteering, urgent care shifts, teaching, etc.) you could have a much easier time returning to medicine if you so choose. While this can be impractical for some jobs and specialties, it is worth considering and seeing what’s possible.
Does this mean I can’t take a break?
Absolutely not. I’ve seen doctors take significant time away and return without missing a beat. Obviously, this depends on your particular situation, but for a reasonable time period, there is more latitude than you might think. Giving yourself time to recover from burnout, flex some different muscles, or devote time to family, can give you an entirely new perspective. Do your due diligence before you go, and if you plan to be out for a while, you might want to set aside some money in a “reentry jar,” just in case.
Latest Posts
Find what you're looking for:
Popular Categories:
Career Change | Career Enhancement | Job Search | Personal Development
30 Comments
Leave a Comment
Thank you! Thank you! This article has made me rethink my career plans. Although I am transitioning into another career, I now have decided to continue my practice as an Anesthesiologist even if it becomes super part-time. What a hassle to re-enter medicine after “taking a break” or just changing your mind. I will now maintain my license, my malpractice insurance, my DEA and keep my CME up to date! I guess there is a need to assess skill sets after a long hiatus from the practice (one can get rusty), but the fact that it’s difficult to find a preceptor seems counter-productive. Having an experienced physician “return to the foal”, especially with the shortage of physicians we are experiencing, it would behoove the medical community to assist them in any way possible. WIN-WIN in my book!
But again, thank you for this timely article for my situation. At least I know that if I wanted to stop, I still would be okay as long as it is less than 2 years before I suddenly decide I want to return to medicine. I’ll mark that on my calendar!
You are so incredibly welcome Lynette! You also win the Doctor’s Crossing Blog Award as my most enthusiastic reader and commenter! It was very eye-opening for me when I did the research for this blog. I am very motivated to get the word out to our fine physician friends so they can be spared such challenges and discouragement as these doctors had in trying to get back to serving patients. It is my hope that more reentry resources become available and there is also more of a welcoming sentiment towards those needing a chance to refresh their skills. These are good doctors who are wanting to return and there is no reason not to give them a chance. It’s a tough pill to swallow to not be able to practice anymore if one so desires.
This article has been very helpful. Thank you for your exhaustive research efforts towards it.
You are most welcome. Reentry is a complicated area and it is our pleasure to offer some resources for those desiring information. All the best to you!
Hi all,
I’d like to ask for some advice because of my particular situation. I have been out of practice 2 years since finishing Cardiology and EP fellowship in 2017
. I was not able to start into my attending post as I had a pretty bad life event – medical malpractice , except I was the patient ! Without too many details, a routine surgery turned into a nightmare and 2 years and 3 surgeries later it looks like I won’t be ready to return until 2.5 years in total have elapsed.
I am going to sit my EP boards this fall 2019 and then want to go back into practice
My questions are:
– should I and can I apply for an Ep fellowship again even though I had completed one. I’m too rusty since I’m in an operating speciality and definitely wouldn’t apply straight for an attending job.
– are there any other routes like proctoring but if so would most places cover me for malpractice ? I am out of savings since living on no income x 2 yrs
– prior to what happened to me I was doing really well and had a good resume. How would it be best to word my glaring absence from practice on my cv ?
– is there anything else that might help ?
A final note is I ended up having to go on Medicaid to get through this rough 2 years so even trying the odd locum here and there before I’m formally finished with the large operations I’ve needed isn’t possible as I’d lose my Medicaid insurance coverage. I want to make sure I am well before I renter
– also I training in two countries to attending level in EP (UK and USA) before this happened so at 47 I can’t at this age really enter a new field not do I want to
Thanks for your advice !
Cleo
Hello Cleo, I am so sorry to hear about your being on the receiving end of malpractice. What a nightmare! I can see how difficult this has made your situation. Ideally it would be good if you didn’t have to do the full fellowship again. Sometimes physicians can use their connections from training to find a physician or program that will create a customized preceptorship for you to catch up on your skills. It can be a little tricky with licensure and malpractice coverage. I am linking to my blog on physician reentry. CPEP can sometimes be helpful with creating a reentry plan. And the KSTAR program at Galveston has some reentry program, but neither of these are inexpensive. If you can find a program to take you where they will pay you something while you refresh your skills, that would be best. If the best path is redoing the fellowship so you have some income versus paying to do a reentry program 10K plus… then it might be your best bet. Wishing you all the best and a full recovery and return to medicine! https://doctorscrossing.com/leaving-medicine-and-reentry-know-before-you-go/
I am a Tulane physician who has been out of practice since 2014. I’ve had some particularly unique set circumstances that followed the suspension of my medical license. These circumstances have left me oscillating in and out of homelessness. I mean, literally, sleeping on the street with nothing but the clothes on my back. Medicine is my passion, it was my life. It was completely devastating when that was no longer . The challenges are overwhelming and have completely exhausted me both physically and mentally. Physically as in my health from the burdens of homelessness and poverty and mentally as in a constant uphill battle against hopelessness. It’s very difficult to get any job when you don’t have supportive resources that allow you necessities such as professional clothing, transportation, adequate food, ability to maintain ones hygiene and encouragement. I am not quite sure what question to ask but I’m hoping you can help save my life. I understand that there most likely won’t be much anyone can do for me at this point but I am still giving everything I can possibly think of a try. I am trying to maintain the fight. Please, God willing, if there is anything you may think of to help me save my life, I would be forever indebted and will wish your life to be blessed and kept by the hand of God Himself. Thank you for your time and with much gratitude
Andre’ Viator M.D.
Hi Andre’,
I am truly sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve experienced, and I want to express my deep empathy for your situation. Your dedication to medicine is evident, and I applaud your strength and resilience. While I may not have all the answers, I am hopeful that you will find the podcast and some of our free resources (at the FREEBIES tab above) helpful for you on your journey. You also may want to consider reaching out to the Physicians Support Line at https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ for confidential assistance and guidance tailored to your unique situation.
Wishing you strength, resilience, and brighter days ahead.
Heather
Hey, I just wrote a long comment and hit “enter” before filling out my ID info and hitting “Post Comment.” I guess it’s lost. I do want to take the time to say than you, though. This is the first summary of established reentry programs and the challenges, including dollars and years, faced by a reentrant physician. I was so pleased to see it in my email and know that others would also. And thank you Lynette for pointing out how counterproductive it is to keep experienced clinicians from returning to practice by having a process that is inconsistent, difficult to navigate, expensive and labor intensive for both the reentrant and the organizations involved.
Thank you very much, Beth, for reading and commenting. I am very sorry that you spent precious time sharing your thoughts and lost the information – I know how frustrating that is! You and Lynette are absolutely right in that we need to make the process easier for those willing to do the hard work to retrain and reenter. It’s hard enough without having to spend months and months trying to find someone who will let you work under them. I have the impression that the current reentry programs are run by very dedicated individuals who are passionate about helping physicians return. I encourage their efforts to improve and streamline the reentry process and am hopeful for continued progress going forward.
Hi Beth!
Thank you for your response. Medicine has become more challenging and not necessarily in a productive, meaningful way. We all need to find balance and sometimes a sabbatical is needed.
Lynette
Thank you so much for this post, which is super-timely for my situation as well! I have been torn between the demands of working as a hospitalist and being a mom, too often feeling that I am not doing either one very well at all…I am willing to scale down to dedicate more time to my family (and having a life), but I worry about “taking a break” may mean getting too rusty and losing skills..I long for the quietness of the mind when you are not in the heat of working long hours that allows you to balance your perspective….for the time to read, to attend a medical meeting or take a CME course, go on a medical volunteer mission, or simply take a family vacation without wondering who and how long will cover the service…
Knowing that there are options to refresh your skills or learn new skills (such as going back to primary care) means that there is hope! Is there any program that you are aware of specifically for Hospitalists?
What do you consider ” a reasonable time period” to be away from clinical practice, and how does one maintain their license ( besides taking CME and renewing the applications)? How do you keep your malpractice insurance unless you are actively employed?
Thank you again!
You are most welcome Raluca, and thank you for sharing your situation and desires for more work-life balance. It is so true that whatever we are doing is more enjoyable if we are not rushing all the time. I hope you are able to find the right situation for yourself. To attempt to answer your questions,
1) I don’t know of any specific hospitalist reentry programs, but some, such as CPEP, KSTAR and Lifeguard do not exclude any specialties. It may depend on availability whether or not they can assist a particular physician.
2. A “reasonable gap” was intentionally vague because of the various factors that enter in for a physician in this situation – such as specialty, career ambitions, preexisting skill and knowledge base, etc. But in general, I haven’t seen a 6 month – 1 year gap be a problem. And many physicians have left for longer, as we have seen and made it back. It does become harder after two years. Doing even a little bit of locums while on a “gap” can do a lot to fill in the CV and help keep skills current.
3. Regarding malpractice, if you leave a practice setting, you want to check and see if they pay your “tail coverage” for any suits that could come up subsequently. This can be expensive, so best to check. Sometimes you have to purchase this “tail coverage.” If you are not seeing patients, you do not need to keep your malpractice active during a gap. If you do locums, they typically pay your malpractice. If you are doing limited patient care, you can also see about having less expensive malpractice coverage.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!!
Heather
Thanks for your response to my comment, Heather. I just completed the CPEP Reentry to Clinical Practice two day assessment in general pediatrics on April 10 & 11 and eagerly await the report which takes 8-10 weeks. Certainly this was a comprehensive, well organized program administered by dedicated professionals. And, Raluca, CPEP does reentry assessments in all medical specialties–and assessments for health professionals other than MDs/DOs. Their sites are in Denver and Raleigh NC.
Hi Beth!
Congratulations on getting through the two-day assessment! Wow. I imagine you logged a lot of hours in preparation. I will be crossing my fingers for good news in 8 -10 weeks for you. Please feel free to update us. Your favorable impression of CPEP is good to know about for others considering this path. Thank you! Heather
Mark, this is a great question that you raise. I do not personally know the answer, so I am going to reach out to several of my contacts at the KStarUTMB and CPEP programs and will try to get back with a reply as soon as possible. Thank you for reading and for your interest.
Hello again Mark,
This is the reply I received from Dr. Robert Steele, Medical Director for the KSTAR Reentry Program:
“Some specialty boards (that are recognized by the ACGME) are now requiring supervised training for those who have “timed out” out eligibility. The first instance of that phenomenon came to our attention in the last year with regard to the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). If you have not taken or passed your initial certification exam within a period of time (7 years, I believe), the ABP requires that you obtain training from a program that they approve (usually an ACGME accredited residency program). If you successfully complete that program, then are you again eligible to sit for the exam again. They also spell out how much time should be done in the emergency room, ambulatory setting, and in the hospital. Other boards seem to be following suit, though the recommendations vary. I haven’t seen a compendium of who is doing what yet, but you can usually find the information on the individual specialty board’s website (you have to dig through some of them to find the information, but you can also call them).
Even though there is now a requirement for the training, that doesn’t necessarily mean that training opportunities exist or are easy to find. My observation has been that physicians who are told they’ll have to go back to a residency program for training are largely left to figure that out for themselves. That said, we (KSTAR) are going to be piloting a 6-month “Return to Board Eligibility” training program at UTMB (University of Texas Medical Branch) for one physician next year. That particular physician’s board requires 6-months in an ACGME accredited residency program. We do get calls for those requests from time to time. Other assessment and training programs like ours have been getting the same kind of calls/contacts.
I wish I could be more helpful, but that really does appear to be the reality of the situation.
-Rob” (Robert Steele, MD)
Robert S. Steele, MD, FAAFP
Medical Director, KSTAR Program
Rural and Community Health Institute
Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine
College Station, TX
(979) 436-0390
steele@tamhsc.edu
Thank you Mark, I agree, this would be a helpful partnership so there is more communication and hopefully a path with more clarity and success for physicians. CPEP is looking into this. Will keep you posted!
Mark,
I have been in contact with CPEP and they said they would reach out to the ABIM, but it might be a few weeks before they are able to get back to us.
I’ll keep you posted!
Heather
I’m looking into a non clinical position w plans to sit for IM boards this year prior to changing jobs. I will still have patient contact through the Military. I plan to keep my license, continue to do CME etc. I have two toddlers at home and need to ensure my priority is them. I am doing my homework to ensure I make an educated decision. Has ABIM changed their stance on the one year program as in the above thread? Can you update all on that communication?
I appreciate your time.
V/R,
Reagan
Hello Reagan,
I found this passage which may be helpful:
A candidate who is no longer Board Eligible may nevertheless
apply for a certifying examination, but only if the candidate has:
(i) completed at least one year of retraining in the relevant specialty
after the expiry of the candidate’s period of Board Eligibility, but no
more than seven years before the application; and (ii) met all other
requirements for Board Certification in effect at that time. Retraining
will require the successful completion of at least one year of
additional residency/fellowship training in an ACGME-accredited
U.S. training program or an RCPSC-accredited Canadian training
program and an attestation from the program that the candidate has
demonstrated the requisite competency for unsupervised practice.
Candidates and diplomates remain subject to other ABIM policies
and requirements for certification, such as the Re-examination
policy.
It is at the top of page 15 in this document: https://www.abim.org/~/media/ABIM%20Public/Files/pdf/publications/certification-guides/policies-and-procedures.pdf
You can also call the ABIM at 1-800-441-ABIM.
Hope this helps!
Heather
I’m a young 63 yo. I was a PA for 8 years before going to medical
School. Trained in the IVY league by a bunch of miserable doctors who were great at teaching me to be
miserable. Practiced IM, EM, UC, Army Medicine for 20 years. I’m out and have never been so happy.
When I was a PA I was over worked and under paid by crooked doctors. When I got into med school I had a
lot of reservations, but I was sure I’d never let anyone control my life and career like they did when I was a PA. My first year of med school I had $12,000 to my name. I gambled and invested in something new that NO ONE believed in: cell phones! BINGO! In 2011 I gambled again on something no one believed in: Bitcoin
for $2 each! BINGO! As a physician I always worked more than one job at the same time so no one could control me because doctors are dishonest and egotistical. My colleagues always treated me bad but I didn’t care because I controlled my career. I keep my license but I don’t need to practice ever again and I don’t plan too….I’m not callous enough to be in medicine. Never was. Good luck to all.
I’m sorry you had such a negative experience in medicine. Glad you were able to support yourself through your entrepreneurial talents.
Hello
This is a very informative article. I was looking in google and I found your site.
I have subscribe to your newsletter. What do you think about having to Find an Urgent Care for your illness?
Do let me know.
Cheers,
John Oh
Coming into this conversation late. . Practiced EM 28 years, but left to work for Dod as Internist, ABEN lapsed in 2015. I retired but ahven’t practiced EM for 10 years. If I recertify this fall, how would I get recredentialed to practice EM again?
William, you have had a very respectable career in EM and have a lot of experience under your belt. Just to make sure I understand your question, are you wanting to know how you would be able to refresh your skills enough to be hired for EM work? If so, there is a mini-residency program (3 months) through the UTMB/Kstar program. Sometimes a facility will take you on, such as where you did your residency, or through a preceptor program you set up on your own. The main thing is that you would ideally want to know where you wanted to work and check with them first to see what kind of retraining would be acceptable to them. Malpractice insurance can be an issue, and UTMB/Kstar does provide this. There can be a long wait to get into their program. You can reach out to Tracy Adams at Kstar for further information. tladams@tamu.edu
https://architexas.org/kstar-physician/mini-residency.html . Please keep us posted! Wishing you a smooth return to EM!
Hi Mark, I am so sorry to hear this. I am sure it is very frustrating. I wonder what the reasons are? Did you get any further insight? If anyone out there reading this knows of any options for a year retraining for IM, please chime in.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspective. Let us know if Drexel ends up being an option.
Hey to All.
Left Emergency Medicine 10 years ago, to practice Internal Medicine, for the DOD. I was one of last of the Grandfathers in ER/ABEM.
Still have my mojo, have been practicing Urgent Care and Internal Medicine, after retiring from the DOD, have been practicing 40 years.
I miss Emergency Medicine,practiced it for 28 years, and can still recertify by the end of 2020,now with COVID19, perhaps by April 2021.
The issue is recredentialing. I suppose Locum Tenem in remote ER, where a personwith my scope, experience would be accepted, then
attempt to be recredentialed in a larger town, I live in Northern Maryland. Has anyone one thru this?? Your views, advice is appreciated.
Thanks BIll Swann D.O.
Concierge medicine offers personalized healthcare tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Primary Care