The business of medicine is becoming of paramount importance, but physicians are continually considered to be lacking in business acumen. A recent Medscape article argues that physicians do in fact have the capacity for business intelligence, though not always in the same vein.
Here are six types of physician entrepreneurs, according to the report.
• Traditional small business entrepreneur. Though private practice may not be as prominent as it once was, there are still physicians deeply invested in remaining independent and fostering the skills to do so.
• Technological entrepreneur. There are physicians actively involved in both biomedical innovation and digital health technology development.
• Intrapreneur. Physician employment does not preclude entrepreneurship. These physicians try to work within an existing health system.
• Social physician entrepreneur. This physician entrepreneur focuses on finding the best business practices to run organizations such as a nonprofits.
• Freelancer and consultant. From marketing and social media to financial health and digital planning, these physicians offer their services to other business-minded healthcare professionals.
• Physician investor. Many physicians invest in their own companies or other start-ups in the healthcare industry.