The End of Career - Timely Preparation and Readiness

Preliminary Action Steps Necessary to Create a Smooth Transition

The End of Career will require your careful attention to a variety of tasks in order to achieve a smooth Transition. There are five factors that commonly get in the way of achieving that: 

• Lack of awareness of the magnitude of the process.
• The difficulty of knowing when to begin to prepare. 
• What matters must be addressed.
• The order in which tasks should be completed.
• The lack of a structured Transition Plan.

The approach to addressing these concerns can be customized for the various practice settings: physicians in solo or group practice and those who are otherwise employed.

The Process of Transition

There is a certain matter that becomes an increasing preoccupation as the questions related to the End of Career Transition increase in number and complexity. It is an awareness that your Transition in not an event. It is a process, a rather complex and lengthy one. 

It is an undertaking that involves preparing yourself, your family and your practice. You will likely recognize that the necessary preparations will add a significant amount of additional work. This will occur at the same time that you are still caring for your patients.

When to Begin to Prepare

Regardless of your type of practice, the most important preparation is that of yourself. It should not be rushed, takes the longest to experience and will benefit you directly throughout the next phase of your life.

The duration of preparation will vary according to personal, professional needs and practice type. 

If you are in solo practice and plan to close your practice, at least three years of preparation is prudent.  This also applies if you are in a group practice or are otherwise employed.

In the case of a solo practice that you plan to sell, it is advisable to begin planning at least five years in advance.

A Myriad of Matters

There are numerous matters that you will need to attend to. To do so effectively, it is important to recognize that your role as both leader and manager of the Transition process is essential. 

Your staff will become your Transition team and your leadership role in creating and communicating your plan is vitally important. 

While delegation of tasks is essential, your role as manager will include verification that assignments are properly executed, completed and documented.

Preliminary Matters

The magnitude of time and work that is involved in the Transition is substantial. It is very helpful to front-load as many tasks as possible. 

One early task that is generally unappealing yet useful, is the disposition of business records, both disposal as well as archiving. This category generally describes records and documents that are exclusive of medical records.

This chore will require your direct role and decisions as to what to dispose or retain in a proper format, i.e., paper, digital or both. It will be necessary to refer to state, federal laws and regulations to guide you.

Your professional judgement in this tedious matter is a critical element of this process that cannot be overstated.

Structure and Order

The scope of your End of Career Transition, regardless of practice type is enormous. It is a process that requires the creation of a deliberate, purposeful plan that is the basis for efficiency and efficacy. That is The End of Career Transition Plan _TM

This is your customized plan that provides many benefits, including order and direction for all involved as well as a logical sequence for its execution.  

This methodology minimizes stress for all members of the team. The result will be the creation of the foundation of your Transition, the purpose of which is renewal and fulfillment in the next great phase of your life.

PS: By the way, do you want to learn more from me about how to create and experience a fulfilling End of Career Transition and life beyond? I would like to help you. I provide consulting services that are tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for a complimentary consultation.

Flowing Past the Torrent

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