Setting Realistic Expectations and Possible Career Pathways for Junior Health Professionals

Abstract

Career path direction decisionmaking is a challenge for many young healthcare professionals.1-4 Lent et al. use a social cognitive framework to understand three linked aspects of career development: (a) the formation and elaboration of career-relevant interests, (b) selection of academic and career choice options, and (c) performance and persistence in educational and occupational pursuits.5 Social cognitive career theory supports the notion that self-efficacy informs career choices,4 but a central issue remains that exposure to career pathway options and more importantly, clarity on what factors contribute to success once on those paths, remain elusive for many young health professionals. Offering realistic expectations early in career choice decision-making is essential to ensure costand time-effective investment for both the individual health professional and the system in which they seek career growth. Providing a roadmap approach to career options that lay out opportunities, goals and expectations for health professionals with MD, DO and PhD degrees may be of utility for mentors, individual scholars and others seeking to support young faculty. While career decision-making is multifactorial and driven by unique individual and environmental factors, the figures and tables included here have proved useful heuristic tools for mentees and health professionals as they graduate and consider career options. The choices made will determine the expectations or possibilities of having research as part of their work. Opportunities and Career goals for MDs/DOs Graduates from medical school have a variety of career options.6 They need to decide if they want to join a practice in an academic setting or a nonacademic setting (Figure 1). If they chose a non-academic practice, then the decision is if they should join a private practice or a health system practice. The proportion of U.S. graduates planning full-time clinical practice careers has declined to about 50% which is attributable to graduates’ preference for part-time clinical practice, demographic factors and debt.6 As private practice models are rapidly disappearing from the American medical landscape, employment in health systems and in alternative settings is expanding. Private practice does remain an option for some MD/DO graduates, often depending on s