Sabbatical

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Nodolor

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Has anyone taken a 6 month, 12 month Sabbatical?

Just curious on thoughts and experiences of those who have done this
 
I have not, but I see no reason not to if you are able to afford it and can quit your current job or have someone cover. Go for it !!
 
That would be a gutsy move, which I don't have enough of. I'd really love to do something that but I fear if I were to do that my patients wouldn't return to see me when I came back as someone else would swipe them up. I'm in a solo private practice. I'm not even sure I would be able to come back after a vacation that long. Mondays are hard enough, lol.
 
Pain Applicant1 said:
That would be a gutsy move, which I don't have enough of. I'd really love to do something that but I fear if I were to do that my patients wouldn't return to see me when I came back as someone else would swipe them up. I'm in a solo private practice. I'm not even sure I would be able to come back after a vacation that long. Mondays are hard enough, lol.
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On Monday I really want to quit immediately, just walk right out the door. On Tuesday I still want to quit but I can wait a year or two. On Wednesday I’m cruising though cynical…maybe I can make it another 5 years doing this crap. Thursday is generally a breeze. Friday I love my job and everyone is my friend. “You want 30 mg OxyContin? Hahaha! NO, but you’re a hoot, now get out of my office ya cad, and go watch some more Gilligans island marathons, I love yer lonely old face!” If I spent extravagantly or had a lot of Friday night stands I would certainly qualify as bipolar—Friday is that good, and Monday is that bad. Unsettling, to be ruled by something so arbitrary and repetitive…Round and round and round we go!
 
ateria radicularis magna said:
On Monday I really want to quit immediately, just walk right out the door. On Tuesday I still want to quit but I can wait a year or two. On Wednesday I’m cruising though cynical…maybe I can make it another 5 years doing this crap. Thursday is generally a breeze. Friday I love my job and everyone is my friend. “You want 30 mg OxyContin? Hahaha! NO, but you’re a hoot, now get out of my office ya cad, and go watch some more Gilligans island marathons, I love yer lonely old face!” If I spent extravagantly or had a lot of Friday night stands I would certainly qualify as bipolar—Friday is that good, and Monday is that bad. Unsettling, to be ruled by something so arbitrary and repetitive…Round and round and round we go!
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Monday medication’s due,
Tuesday, Wednesday wants to sue
Thursday I’ve got shots to do
It’s Friday I’m in love

—The Cure (or, The Sickness)
 
Agast said:
Monday medication’s due,
Tuesday, Wednesday wants to sue
Thursday I’ve got shots to do
It’s Friday I’m in love

—The Cure (or, The Sickness)
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Then Saturday the office calls about the ILESI patient who forgot to mention they’re on Coumadin.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday
 
different band...

how about:

10:15
10:15
Saturday night...

Waiting...
For the telephone to ring...
And im wondering...
Which ER shes in...

(of course, probably only avid Cure fans know this song)
 
Nodolor said:
Has anyone taken a 6 month, 12 month Sabbatical?

Just curious on thoughts and experiences of those who have done this
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I'm thinking about doing this. I would like to take some off some extended periods of time and hang out with some of you and see how you run your practices and businesses.
 
drusso said:
I'm thinking about doing this. I would like to take some off some extended periods of time and hang out with some of you and see how you run your practices and businesses.
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you will never take time off
 
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drusso said:
I'm thinking about doing this. I would like to take some off some extended periods of time and hang out with some of you and see how you run your practices and businesses.
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Come on down - I’m in Northern CA. Maybe you can show me how you got your Aprima to work for you too…
 
drusso said:
I'm thinking about doing this. I would like to take some off some extended periods of time and hang out with some of you and see how you run your practices and businesses.
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tax write-off?
 
Well situation is come January I am stepping away from practice. Financially can retire comfortably. Just not sure that if I take a year off will be able to come back and practice. Have talked to a couple folks about part time work....but I will at least take off 6 months as I am burnt out.
 
Nodolor said:
Well situation is come January I am stepping away from practice. Financially can retire comfortably. Just not sure that if I take a year off will be able to come back and practice. Have talked to a couple folks about part time work....but I will at least take off 6 months as I am burnt out.
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Just because you are semi-retired doesn't mean you get time away from the forums....
 
SSdoc33 said:
tax write-off?
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"Business Development Research."

I'd love to spend a couple of days following various PP, HOPD, and VA docs and see how the crank turns in each SOS: 60 min ESI's in the HOPD, high-efficiency ASC's/Physcian-owned hospitals, visit some Cluneal Neuralgia Centers of Excellence, and talk to Health Care Heros on the frontlines of battling the Modic-related back pain epidemic. Happy to host some Ayn Rand discussion groups along the way...
 
Nodolor said:
Well situation is come January I am stepping away from practice. Financially can retire comfortably. Just not sure that if I take a year off will be able to come back and practice. Have talked to a couple folks about part time work....but I will at least take off 6 months as I am burnt out.
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After that much time, i think coming back will be very hard on a personal level, as long as you're financially sound.

I think professionally, especially if you prepare for it, you'll have no trouble.

Hospital credentials last 2 years so i'd take leave right after you renew. Anywhere you can do cases will allow you back in the game.
 
Nodolor said:
Well situation is come January I am stepping away from practice. Financially can retire comfortably. Just not sure that if I take a year off will be able to come back and practice. Have talked to a couple folks about part time work....but I will at least take off 6 months as I am burnt out.
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I know some people not in medicine who have done this (programming in particular).

The big point in this is active vs passive sabbatical. For those folks who just stepped away for six months and didn't actively try and fix whatever the issues were (underlying mental health, new job with different office politic, relationship whatever), they found themselves walking right back into the same issues on their return and felt like the time off didn't really provide them with that much benefit.

For those who did actively seek out ways to correct their problems, they came back refreshed.

A much shorter term POV - I fractured my ankle in residency and underwent an ORIF. Was out for about a month. The breath of fresh air was incredible even though I was essentially trapped at home on the couch/on crutches. By my last week of time off I felt ready to come back.....

...right up until the weekend before I actually did start back. Then it just felt the same as any other weekend. Then back to the grind...
 
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agolden1 said:
I know some people not in medicine who have done this (programming in particular).

The big point in this is active vs passive sabbatical. For those folks who just stepped away for six months and didn't actively try and fix whatever the issues were (underlying mental health, new job with different office politic, relationship whatever), they found themselves walking right back into the same issues on their return and felt like the time off didn't really provide them with that much benefit.

For those who did actively seek out ways to correct their problems, they came back refreshed.

A much shorter term POV - I fractured my ankle in residency and underwent an ORIF. Was out for about a month. The breath of fresh air was incredible even though I was essentially trapped at home on the couch/on crutches. By my last week of time off I felt ready to come back.....

...right up until the weekend before I actually did start back. Then it just felt the same as any other weekend. Then back to the grind...
Click to expand...

If you love your job you never work a day in your life.
 
Nodolor said:
Well situation is come January I am stepping away from practice. Financially can retire comfortably. Just not sure that if I take a year off will be able to come back and practice. Have talked to a couple folks about part time work....but I will at least take off 6 months as I am burnt out.
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Wow, you are a brave and courageous person! Good for you. How old are you if you don't mind? I'm in my mid-40s and have established myself okay from a financial perspective but I don't have the resolution to pull the trigger on retiring. I like the steady income from my practice and would be concerned that I wouldn't be able to get it back up and running again if I left it. I also fear having regrets and kicking myself for not appreciating what I now have.

I can't believe you created the post yesterday and made your decision today. Very impressive and admirable.
 
Pain Applicant1 said:
Wow, you are a brave and courageous person! Good for you. How old are you if you don't mind? I'm in my mid-40s and have established myself okay from a financial perspective but I don't have the resolution to pull the trigger on retiring. I like the steady income from my practice and would be concerned that I wouldn't be able to get it back up and running again if I left it. I also fear having regrets and kicking myself for not appreciating what I now have.

I can't believe you created the post yesterday and made your decision today. Very impressive and admirable.
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50yo my spouse is physician as well, so we have been fortunate and we are by no means super rich but we are comfortable.
Follow White coat investors, Bogleheads, etc.

I was able to sell my practice, so when I mean a sabbatical if I were to work again it would be for someone else.
The practice of medicine has been enjoyable for the most part, but can't say my heart is into anymore.

I may be bored out of my mind in 6 months, but that is something I will have(and am willing) to find out
 
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hyperalgesia said:
Why did you have to put this idea in my head?
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Couldn't agree with the above statement more? Why did you plant this seed? You just caused several days, at a minimum, of soul searching for me.

Nodolor said:
50yo my spouse is physician as well, so we have been fortunate and we are by no means super rich but we are comfortable.
Follow White coat investors, Bogleheads, etc.

I was able to sell my practice, so when I mean a sabbatical if I were to work again it would be for someone else.
The practice of medicine has been enjoyable for the most part, but can't say my heart is into anymore.

I may be bored out of my mind in 6 months, but that is something I will have(and am willing) to find out
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I guess I hate to admit this but I'm not sure if my heart is into it anymore either. It's not even the patients as much as things like MIPS, board reqs, notes, etc. The insurance games are probably the worst.

Luckily, I'm pretty financially set because I have decent revenue coming in outside of my practice and I've done okay with various businesses and investments but I'm still scared to give up my practice income. OTOH, now that I'm middle-aged, I can hear the clock ticking for the first time in my life and I've been frequently asking myself why I shouldn't spend my days now doing the things I enjoy the most.

This is the most real post I've read in here. I hope a lot of posters give their opinions as I'm really interested in what other people are thinking.

How did you sell your practice btw?
 
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Pain Applicant1 said:
Couldn't agree with the above statement more? Why did you plant this seed? You just caused several days, at a minimum, of soul searching for me.



I guess I hate to admit this but I'm not sure if my heart is into it anymore either. It's not even the patients as much as things like MIPS, board reqs, notes, etc. The insurance games are probably the worst.

Luckily, I'm pretty financially set because I have decent revenue coming in outside of my practice and I've done okay with various businesses and investments but I'm still scared to give up my practice income. OTOH, now that I'm middle-aged, I can hear the clock ticking for the first time in my life and I've been frequently asking myself why I shouldn't spend my days now doing the things I enjoy the most.

This is the most real post I've read in here. I hope a lot of posters give their opinions as I'm really interested in what other people's opinions are.

How did you sell your practice btw?
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Group was looking to expand and they approached us....was planning on just shutting it down but the timing was perfect.
Didn't sell it for a ton but unloaded all my equipment, got patient records taken care of, and most importantly kept my staff employed as a couple of them had been with me for over 15 years.
 
Nodolor said:
50yo my spouse is physician as well, so we have been fortunate and we are by no means super rich but we are comfortable.
Follow White coat investors, Bogleheads, etc.

I was able to sell my practice, so when I mean a sabbatical if I were to work again it would be for someone else.
The practice of medicine has been enjoyable for the most part, but can't say my heart is into anymore.

I may be bored out of my mind in 6 months, but that is something I will have(and am willing) to find out
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Do you have kids?
 
Nodolor said:
Group was looking to expand and they approached us....was planning on just shutting it down but the timing was perfect.
Didn't sell it for a ton but unloaded all my equipment, got patient records taken care of, and most importantly kept my staff employed as a couple of them had been with me for over 15 years.
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nice job
 
SSdoc33 said:
I KNOW my heart isnt into it. but I like the $$$, and I don't hate the work. i just don't know what the magic # is.....
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Bravo, well said. This pretty much summarizes it.
 
Nodolor said:
50yo my spouse is physician as well, so we have been fortunate and we are by no means super rich but we are comfortable.
Follow White coat investors, Bogleheads, etc.

I was able to sell my practice, so when I mean a sabbatical if I were to work again it would be for someone else.
The practice of medicine has been enjoyable for the most part, but can't say my heart is into anymore.

I may be bored out of my mind in 6 months, but that is something I will have(and am willing) to find out
Click to expand...
So you were in a solo private practice? Do you think you would be able to work for someone else after that? FWIW, I decreased my office schedule to where I work only 22 hours per week with Fridays off. For some reason, this hasn't really made me feel any different about my practice.
 
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Pain Applicant1 said:
So you were in a solo private practice? Do you think you would be able to work for someone else after that? FWIW, I decreased my office schedule to where I work only 22 hours per week with Fridays off. For some reason, this hasn't really made me feel any different about my practice.
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I had a Partner that retired last year. I have worked in large Ortho Group in past and it went well. Think I could be employed in right situation, whether I will have a desire to do that is another question
jsaul said:
Do you have kids?
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Just One
 
Nodolor said:
I had a Partner that retired last year. I have worked in large Ortho Group in past and it went well. Think I could be employed in right situation, whether I will have a desire to do that is another question

Just One
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I've been speaking to my wife about this thread. My wife and I don't really care for costly things and my expenses are pretty low so we don't really need the revenue from the practice. It would be pretty crazy if your post gave me the final push I'm waiting for. As foolish as it may or may not sound I love farming. I already have my own farm and I wish I was there all of the time but my office job is still getting in the way. There's a lot of work there waiting for me to get it done.

From the article below, it seems like I'm not the only one.

www.bbc.com

The US professionals quitting the rat race to become farmers

A growing number of Americans are giving up their office jobs to go into farming, as the Karen Weintraub reports.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
DOctorJay said:
25 x annual expenses
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seems like too many variables to put into a formula, but i guess you have to start somewhere.

who knows how much college will cost the kids? do i pay for grad school as well (leaning towards yes)? what about inflation? long term care insurance? deadbeat siblings?
 
Personal Capital has good free retirement calculators
 
counterpoint:

ive always wanted to be a doctor.

i will never stop being a doctor, even after i retire.

it may be a generational thing - im seeing most of the younger doctors in the system as a whole not as invested in the practice of medicine, and more invested in the benefits (yes $$$ and prestige) that comes with it. thats not me, or those who preceded me. one of my mentors worked until he had a stroke, at age 99.

i talk about retiring in 10 years, but ill probably end up as one of those guys you see that takes 20 min to walk in from the parking lot to get to his office every morning...
 
5 years! I need 5 good years. After that I plan on semi-retiring. I should have enough passive income at that point to not work. I'll probably just manage my NPs at that point and hire someone to do injections. If I get to five years and revenue drops too much I will just retire. If things go to **** before then and I don't hit my targets I could be working a lot longer...
 
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mid|ine said:
5 years! I need 5 good years. After that I plan on semi-retiring. I should have enough passive income at that point to not work. I'll probably just manage my NPs at that point and hire someone to do injections. If I get to five years and revenue drops too much I will just retire. If things go to **** before then and I don't hit my targets I could be working a lot longer...
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Why not just let’s the NPs do the injections? Then you are set
 
All the NP hate here. There is plenty of work that is done in the day a Doc doesn't need to do. You can fight the good fight against mid levels if you want, but you are only shooting yourself in the foot.
 
geauxg8rs said:
Why not just let’s the NPs do the injections? Then you are set
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1635438271020.jpeg
 
Have you guys thought about doing doctors without borders or peace corps?

I want to practice medicine without all the cr@p. I wonder if i could be the doc of a rural village in the developing world...
 
hyperalgesia said:
Have you guys thought about doing doctors without borders or peace corps?

I want to practice medicine without all the cr@p. I wonder if i could be the doc of a rural village in the developing world...
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I volunteered with HVO (health volunteers overseas) mainly africa, did anesthesia there, really eye opening, humbling. Did an open AAA with basic monitoring and halothane.
 
hyperalgesia said:
Have you guys thought about doing doctors without borders or peace corps?

I want to practice medicine without all the cr@p. I wonder if i could be the doc of a rural village in the developing world...
Click to expand...

A few years ago I wanted to volunteer my time and see some "Pain-Addicts" at the local FQHC-Medicaid center and help the PCP's out with opioid weans and Suboxone. I thought it was the most generous thing I could do for humanity. Long and short was that the Admin of the clinic said that I can't give away my own time to 'Caid patients. They must be charged. I said that I didn't want to get paid, I wanted this to be a charitable mission, and helping wean Pain-Addicts dependent on a government system for their health care strongly resonated with my values about righting a societal wrong. But, I was told that in order for me to help 'Caid patients I had to be an employee (not going to happen) and I had to charge them for the service (I did not want to).

I couldn't move forward with my charitable mission because it couldn't pencil for the Medicaid Clinic even if I worked for free. #competingcommitments
 
Ducttape said:
counterpoint:

ive always wanted to be a doctor.

i will never stop being a doctor, even after i retire.

it may be a generational thing - im seeing most of the younger doctors in the system as a whole not as invested in the practice of medicine, and more invested in the benefits (yes $$$ and prestige) that comes with it. thats not me, or those who preceded me. one of my mentors worked until he had a stroke, at age 99.

i talk about retiring in 10 years, but ill probably end up as one of those guys you see that takes 20 min to walk in from the parking lot to get to his office every morning...
Click to expand...

Sounds like you’ve got it figured out. What do you enjoy about your job? Do you ever feel bored by the repetition? Annoyed by the insurance issues? What makes you want to work until you die?
 
drusso said:
A few years ago I wanted to volunteer my time and see some "Pain-Addicts" at the local FQHC-Medicaid center and help the PCP's out with opioid weans and Suboxone. I thought it was the most generous thing I could do for humanity. Long and short was that the Admin of the clinic said that I can't give away my own time to 'Caid patients. They must be charged. I said that I didn't want to get paid, I wanted this to be a charitable mission, and helping wean Pain-Addicts dependent on a government system for their health care strongly resonated with my values about righting a societal wrong. But, I was told that in order for me to help 'Caid patients I had to be an employee (not going to happen) and I had to charge them for the service (I did not want to).

I couldn't move forward with my charitable mission because it couldn't pencil for the Medicaid Clinic even if I worked for free. #competingcommitments
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What if you could volunteer outside the US, where there are no icd codes or cpt codes? You are looked upon as a demigod because you help people. No one would dare to question your judgment and there's no such thing as insurance or malpractice.

People ask for your help and you provide out of a sense of civic duty. You are rewarded with chickens, dinners, and goodwill.
 
"i aint got nowhere else to go."

1/2 of a bonus point if you can identify the movie. (not you lobel. too easy for you).


i never imagined so, but there is a huge advantage of having worked in the trenches for 15 years. changes perspectives. in addition, i feel i have a purpose in what i am doing, as opposed to just making money. yes, indigent/selfpay/medicaid patients and insurance is exquisitely frustrating, but i do feel optimistic about trying to make an indent in community safety.
 
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