What is the job?

I set up a healthcare consulting company, where I act as a medical/clinical advisor to a number of different start-ups and companies. These companies are mostly in women's health and femtech, but I have also provided consulting services to other companies, involving medical writing and medical education services. I advise on the company's product, app development and content.

How and why did you get into it?

I became disillusioned with clinical medicine early in 2022. I felt the main challenges I was facing at work were dealing with dissatisfied patients and waiting lists. I wasn't enjoying the job as much as I had in my foundation years, post pandemic. I wanted to do something outside of clinical medicine that I enjoyed, that would challenge me, and that would encourage me to develop new skills. I did my research, reflected, and then I discovered some other people who were on similar journeys on LinkedIn and I just went for it!

How does it compare to your clinical career?

Having this company and working in these roles has genuinely made me so much happier as a person. I now have an interesting work schedule, where each week is different. I have developed new skills in consulting, digital marketing, pitching, speaking to clients, running a business… The list is endless. My work-life balance has improved significantly and I feel more in control of my own schedule. Also, the work I do is almost entirely remote, so you can do it from anywhere!

How is it related to medicine — why were you suitable?

I used my knowledge and experience in women's health research to show I was able to act as a clinical advisor to the start-ups. The knowledge from my medical degree and clinical experience is a very important part of the advice I give to start-ups, and allows me to review and create content and contribute to product development. Having my medical degree provides credibility, and provides my clients with further credibility having their content and work backed by a doctor.

How could someone go about getting into your field?

Find your niche or unique selling point (USP) and work on it so you have a good level of experience and education in that area. If you see companies or founders in the space you're interested in, reach out to them and let them know how you can potentially help them.

What can I earn?

The first few jobs you take might be unpaid/voluntary but these help build experience and means that you are much more likely to get a paid position in the future. Once you get your first role, it gets a lot easier from there to get the next position, if desired. Consulting rates vary depending on experience, but can start from about £20–£30/hour up to rates of over £200/hour depending on the level of experience you have!

Anything else you'd like to add?

I'd strongly recommend everyone in a clinical role to nurture another interest in their career (assuming they want to!), be it consulting or a different field. In my experience, having my own interest aside from clinical medicine has made me a lot more satisfied and a better clinician. The skills you develop in different roles, e.g. education, research, digital health, are always transferrable to clinical medicine, and vice versa. Good luck!