The Critical Care Physician and a Career in Industry: Reflections and Recommendations

Abstract

Physicians often consider career changes after years in clinical and academic practice for many reasons, including a desire to embrace new challenges, a need to physically and intellectually “recharge,” and a wish to “redirect” one’s energies and talents. Private industry offers many opportunities for the well-seasoned and experienced clinician, and physicians increasingly have assumed vital and indispensible roles in pharmaceutical, device, and diagnostic companies, with many physician often assuming key leadership and management positions. The role of physicians in industry has significantly expanded and become more diverse largely due to the advances in medical science and healthcare delivery along with the increased complexities associated with clinical medicine, research, and development and the multifaceted challenges associated with bringing a product to market. A career in industry can be personally exciting and professionally fulfilling for the mid-career physician; however, anyone who contemplates such a move should understand the skills, temperament, and mind-set required to thrive and succeed. This chapter will provide a brief overview of my perspective of some of the key aspects that the physician who is considering a mid-career change into industry needs to consider prior to making a move.