Medical Moonlighting: How About Doctor Derby?
Medical moonlighting. That’s what you’d better be thinking about as the healthcare finance reform trap continues its destined pursuit of bankrupting America.
The only possible outcome to all of this mess is the biggest man-made healthcare recession of all time that will make the current economic implosion look like a walk in the park.
What are some possible second jobs for doctors? Every week I get offers to respond to surveys and telephone conferences by private industry asking for my opinions on up-and-coming pharmaceuticals. Just the other day I was offered $500 for a 90-minute interview. (That reminds me, I had better call them back!)
Other second jobs for doctors?
I spent time earlier this year talking with a physician review doctor who does chart-audit reviews to look for medical necessity on observation versus inpatient admissions. I learned the whole process seemed like a sham. Many doctors take on extra duties with insurance companies as a way to earn extra money.
Doctors also seek out second jobs as consultants for medical device companies and drug companies peddling their goods for money, while other doctors eat dinner at one of the local upscale restaurants in town. These second jobs can be very lucrative for doctors.
In fact, I know some hospitalist subspecialists who brag about the money thrown at them to give lectures about drugs at far-away conferences. In fact, I was offered $1,000 to give a lecture on an antibiotic because I was an “expert” hospitalist — and the slides were already provided for me.
If you’re a semi-retired doctor, many hospitalist jobs — or even other subspecialty jobs – are available at locum tenens agencies looking to fill an employment gap for their client. My private-practice hospitalist service once required a locum tenens hospitalist. They don’t come cheap. Some physicians just enjoy traveling around the country or even the world working in new environments. If you enjoy traveling, locum tenens second jobs might be right for you.
Many second jobs for doctors involve staying away from the medical field. I know many physicians who own rental properties, invest in commercial real estate ventures, open franchise restaurants, and even own landscaping businesses.
The list goes on and on. In fact, I would suspect most physicians take second jobs in other lines of business completely unrelated to healthcare as a way to unwind after a long, hard day of death and disease.
But I bet you never thought of roller derby. Mrs. Happy and I watched the movie “Whip It” a few months ago and I loved it. It turns out that a real-life roller derby circuit exists right here in the good ‘ol USA. Our neighbors, who are not the type to go watch girls in roller skates, loved it.
Welcome to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Who are the derby girls? With names like “Anna Wrexx-It,” “Crazy Cooter,” and “Flash Gloria,” you know it’s got to be a good time.
And why not roller derby as a second job for doctors? It looks like some nurses have joined the crew. One derby girl calls herself “Nurse FlatlinHER.” She’s an RN. What’s her motto? “Hit somebody!”
It turns out one team even has a member named “The Bone Setter.” I suspect she’s a real-life practicing chiropractor. Talk about the ultimate in chiropractic marketing. That’s taking second jobs for doctors to a new level.
If I was a woman and a hospitalist and a derby girl, what would I call myself? “Hospice Hospitality,” that’s what. What would your doctor-derby name be?
*This blog post was originally published at The Happy Hospitalist*
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