What do you wish you’d known before stepping into your first attending role? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer Xiong, a Harvard-trained, double-board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain specialist, to discuss the realities physicians often aren’t prepared for. We talk about the non-clinical side of medicine that hits fast and hard once training ends, from insurance denials and prior authorizations to referrals, networking, and practice dynamics.
Listen in as we talk candidly about career transitions, autonomy in pain medicine, and how to evaluate different practice environments. You’ll learn how to assess culture, leadership, and alignment before accepting an offer, why flexibility and autonomy matter, and how filling your own cup is essential to showing up fully for patients. Don’t miss this conversation that shines a light on what life really looks like beyond fellowship.
What You’ll Learn In Today’s Episode:
- What fellowship doesn’t teach you about private practice.
- The non-clinical realities of being an attending.
- How to evaluate different practice offers.
- What to look for in leadership and culture.
- Why autonomy matters in pain medicine.
- How flexibility impacts long-term satisfaction.
- What surprised Dr. Xiong most about private practice.
- How to assess referral sources and networks.
- Why physician burnout starts with misalignment.
- How to protect your energy so you can serve patients well.
Ideas Worth Sharing:
Resources In Today’s Episode:
- Dr. Jennifer Xiong: LinkedIn | Website
- Regenerative Spine & Pain Specialists
- APM Success YouTube
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