In our everyday lives, we often see what is common as normal and what is uncommon as strange or unconvincing. This perspective extends to our professional lives, including the medical field. It’s no surprise that people might chuckle when I introduce myself as a Doctorpreneur. Traditionally, entrepreneurs are viewed as profit-driven businessmen, while clinicians are seen as professionals motivated by a compassionate concern for humanity. However, reality is much more nuanced. A Doctorpreneur is not a mythical figure nor a whimsical term. It’s a newly coined word referring to health professionals with an entrepreneurial mindset and involvement.
An entrepreneur identifies problems and turns them into opportunities. They create their path, confront the unknown, and rely on their perseverance and skills. While there are many types of entrepreneurs, they all share certain traits:
- Curiosity and Adaptability
Entrepreneurs explore perspectives that others might miss, moving past inadequate solutions and envisioning new possibilities. For proactive individuals, comfort zones are unappealing. In medicine, diagnosing is like “connecting the dots” while accounting for missing or hidden pieces. Medical knowledge expands rapidly, requiring constant learning and the ability to handle emergencies and diverse cases. - Empathy
Empathy is vital both externally and internally. Externally, it helps in understanding and addressing the target problem and all related stakeholders. Internally, it’s essential for building, motivating, and leading a team. Understanding others is crucial. In healthcare, empathy is key for gaining patients’ trust and cooperation. Clinicians work in teams, sharing responsibilities and outcomes, leaving no room for solo acts. - Self-discipline
Entrepreneurs need a strong, enduring drive to achieve, akin to running a marathon rather than a sprint. This trait is evident in clinicians, who undergo years of rigorous study and adhere to strict ethical codes while maintaining focus and professionalism in high-stress scenarios. - Risk Management
Managing uncertainty and the unknown requires constantly updated and clear analysis. There’s a fine line between bravery and recklessness. In medicine, every therapy, whether pharmaceutical or surgical, has potential side effects that must be continually monitored and evaluated, balancing risks and benefits. - Clarity of Thought
Handling different aspects of a project can lead to losing direction and failing to prioritize what matters. Data is invaluable, but without proper focus, it’s useless. According to Lean methodology, iterative feedback collection and interpretation guide decisions, including pivoting or shutting down a business. Similarly, doctors must communicate complex ideas effectively to colleagues and patients with varying levels of medical understanding.
While clinicians, particularly those without private practice experience, may lack business management experience, they possess extensive scientific and medical knowledge—a strategic asset in developing health products. With proper training in commercial aspects, they become well-suited for roles in innovative startups and corporations developing MedTech products, medical devices, mental health software, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Conclusion
The term “Doctorpreneur” encapsulates a unique blend of medical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Clinicians with entrepreneurial ambitions are well-positioned to drive innovation in healthcare, leveraging their deep understanding of medical science and patient care. With the right commercial training, they can play pivotal roles in shaping the future of healthcare technology and services.
Does the term “Doctorpreneur” make more sense now? 🙂
To register for our next masterclass please click here https://linktr.ee/docpreneur
