The Importance of Networking as a Physician

By Emily Obrien
Healthcare Careers

Physicians and surgeons in today’s market have more on their plates than ever before. With a greater array of opportunities comes more complex avenues to explore. Should you open up a small practice or join an established hospital’s staff? Physicians work in insurance, law, tech startups, and education. Some have side jobs where they offer consulting for other companies. Some days, the rising opportunities seem endless. 

Think of having a flourishing network of colleagues as a powerful tool to help you advance in your career. Networking can also help you stay current in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, discussing best practices and trends with others and learning about emerging innovations. Plus, you never know when or where the right MD job may bubble up to the surface.

Networking also helps physicians create connections that can offer solutions later on down the road. For example, if you’re feeling the effects of burnout crowding in on you and want to consider a fresh start, a locum tenens recruiter you met several years ago might be the perfect person to pick up the phone and call. Or maybe you’re approaching retirement and looking for someone to take over your practice that you’ve spent decades building. Leaving it in good hands might mean reaching out to someone who’s already in your professional network. Networking isn’t only about filling immediate needs; look at it as a long-term approach.

Go Where the People Are

The easiest, most direct way to meet more physicians or surgeons in your area is to join a professional organization and attend events. If industry events give you butterflies in your stomach, try creating, practicing, and memorizing a short elevator pitch on who you are and what you do. Have three to five questions in the back of your mind to ask your new acquaintances, such as how they got into medicine, where they practice, and what they do during their downtime. This can take the edge off these social situations. 

A well-rounded professional network consists of both deliberate and organic connections that you can find by regularly attending meetings and conferences. In-house recruiters can help you deliberately pivot from one place to the next. Lead from a place of curiosity when meeting someone in the industry; there’s always something interesting we can learn from each other.

Remember that following up is almost as important as making a good first impression. Nurturing a connection, keeping your word on scheduling a time for coffee or lunch, and texting or calling now and then to catch up are essential to forming a solid relationship. Let them know you’re available if they need any help in the future. The road to a solid friendship goes both ways.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can help you stay digitally connected to new acquaintances, but that’s not all. They can also help you stay current with unfolding healthcare news or new opportunities on the horizon. If you join a professional networking group, keep up with them through its social channels. 

Keep your LinkedIn profile current by having a professional headshot and your skillset listed. As the world’s largest professional network, it’s one of the best places to showcase your skills, education, and expertise. Twitter allows you to share breaking industry news and to micro-blog, while Instagram can keep you informed on industry events and happenings. With Facebook, consider keeping two profiles—one business and one personal. Then you can keep your friend lists edited accordingly. 

Consider Alternative Approaches 

Signing up for short locum tenens assignments as a side job can be a goldmine for new connections and can eventually lead to physician jobs. Consider using a few holidays, weekends, or vacation days each year specifically for this purpose. It will increase your exposure to new facilities and people. You never know, you may find you like a particular locum tenens role more than your full-time job. If that happens, you’ll already have a leg up on other candidates when a permanent opportunity arises. 

While networking events are like the low-hanging fruit for making new connections, volunteering can also broaden your professional reach. Not only will donating your medical expertise help those in need, but it can also open up doors to new experiences and new connections. Consider volunteering in your area to help underprivileged areas or going on a mission trip with your religious affiliation.

Networking is all about what you put into it. The more you give, the more likely you’ll get. Make networking a priority and stay open and involved. The beauty of building a professional community is that there’s no rush. Through commitment and dedication, you can build and nurture your connections little by little throughout your career.