Anesthesiologists have traditionally taken one of two routes after finishing their residency (e.g. post-graduate) training in a specialty. Academic Medicine (e.g. university-affiliated hospital) or a private practice (e.g. group practice). Regardless of the path chosen, many yearn to have a practice flexible enough to accommodate their different interests and skillsets while allowing for a predictable schedule.
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I moved to Los Angeles in 2016 to pursue my childhood dream of living in California, but soon was appalled by the administrative barriers to change, discouragement of independence and autonomous decision-making, and a direction focused on profits rather than the patients. I spent the next year building relationships with surgery centers and anesthesiologists in the Los Angeles area.
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Today, I am a solo anesthesiologist and healthcare consultant, and contract with surgery centers, community hospitals, pediatric dental clinics, and device companies. I also assist with Independent Medical Examinations (IME) on some weekends. It was a struggle to put together my own schedule, but I am much happier now:
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* in CONTROL of my workflow
* free from the POLITICS of being in one place
* comfortable with the BUSINESS side of medicine that is not taught to us in medical school
* engage MULTIDISCIPLINARY interests under the single umbrella of perioperative care
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*** STAY TUNED for my instablog regarding the following topics, all of which are relevant to the independent practitioner:
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1. Sorting out the bad apples: identifying and avoiding deleterious partnerships.
2. Why you SHOULDN’T choose a partner track.
3. Starting a business in academia: Your university OWNS you.
4. Consulting - What are all the possibilities?
5. Setting up as an Independent Contractor
6. Mobile Anesthesia Unit
7. The INs and OUTs of commercial insurance
8. Choosing a Biller
9. Branding yourself: Authenticity, Distinction, and Consistency
10. Six Sigma #1: Implementing Efficiency into your organization Workplace
11. Six Sigma #2: Implementing Efficiency into your personal Workflow

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