My wife often jokes that I read 4-5 books simultaneously. It’s true! If you own a digital book reader or use an audiobook app like Audible to consume books, then you've probably jumped between a title or two as well, depending on your mood.

By Editor, Concierge Medicine Today

I personally love bouncing between a few titles and topics. I think the secret is listening or reading one chapter at a time once or twice a week! Then, I jump onto a podcast path, perhaps with a similar author I find interesting in the car or during a workout.

But finding the right balance between learning and pleasure is important, especially FOR Doctors!

Reading a few books simultaneously helps me avoid getting stuck or bored. If a book or a chapter is too slow, allow yourself to skip a track or jump a few pages. Life is too short, and there are too many great books to push through painfully.

Throughout nearly the past two decades here at Concierge Medicine Today, we compiled a list of books that either I've read and found helpful or your peers and those we’ve interviewed over the years here at Concierge Medicine Today, our conference, the Concierge Medicine Forum, or our podcast, The DocPreneur Leadership Podcast, have been recommended to us on this topic.

Note: If you're specifically only looking for books about Concierge Medicine, we included a few recommendations at the end of the article we would offer for your consideration as well. 

In keeping with what we’ve learned today … “The best leaders are readers!” — here are some of the titles your peers have mentioned and a few more books that have come across our path we recommend Physicians consider —

1. Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection" by Charles Duhigg"
2. "Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity" Hardcover – Big Book, October 1, 2019 by Kim Scott
3. "No More Waiting Rooms: A Customer Service Road Map to Help Remarkable Medical Offices Navigate Their Way Towards an Irresistible Practice Where Gratitude Is on Repeat!" by Michael Tetreault
4. "Counterclockwise: Using Peptides to Renew, Rejuvenate, and Rediscover" by Dr. Suzanne J Ferree
5. "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" Paperback – December 29, 2020 by Greg McKeown (Author)
6. "Designing for Health: The Human-Centered Approach" Hardcover – November 13, 2023 by Craig Joseph (Author), Jerome Pagani (Author)
7. "Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It" Hardcover – February 13, 2024 by Jennie Allen (Author)
8. "Unstoppable Brain: The New Neuroscience that Frees Us from Failure, Eases Our Stress, and Creates Lasting Change" Hardcover – April 30, 2024 by Kyra Bobinet (Author)
9. "Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow's Success" by John C. Maxwell (Author)
10. "The Beauty of Everyday Things" (Penguin Classics) Translation Edition by Soetsu Yanagi (Author)
11. "Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection" by Charles Duhigg
12. "The Blood Pressure BluePrint: The Holistic Guide to Defeating Hypertension" by Dr. Ellie Campbell
13. "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It" by Chris Voss (Author), Tahl Raz (Author)
14. "Power of Moments" by Dan and Chip Heath
15. "The Simple Truths of Service" by Ken Blanchard and Barbara Glanz
16. "The Power of Customer Experience: 5 Elements to Make An Impact" by Elizabeth Dixon
17. "Find Your Yellow Tux: How to be Successful by Standing Out" by Jesse Cole
18. “Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise” by Horst Schulze, Dean Merrill, et al.
19. "The Comeback Effect" by Jason Young
20. “The Other Side of Illness: Unexpected Blessings” by Dr. Robin Hall
21. "The Forgotten Power of Bathing: How a Daily Bath Can Improve Your Health and Happiness" by Élaine Drolet and Dr. Ken Redcross MD
22. "Well Designed Life: 10 Lessons in Brain Science & Design Thinking for a Mindful, Healthy, & Purposeful Life" Paperback – September 12, 2015 by Kyra Bobinet MD MPH (Author)
23. “The EntreMD Method: A Proven Roadmap for Doctors Who Want to Live Life and Practice Medicine on Their Terms” by Nneka Unachukwu
24. “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara

25. "Breathing Room: A 28-Day Devotional for Women" by Sandra Stanley

26. "The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life" by Steven Bartlett
27. “Trillion Dollar Coach” by Eric Schmidt (Author), Jonathan Rosenberg (Author), Alan Eagle (Author)
28. “Necessary Endings” by Henry Cloud

29. "How Teens Win: The Student's Guide to Accomplishing Big Goals" by Jon Acuff

30. "Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future" by Cameron Herold
31. “Hospitable Healthcare: Just What the Patient Ordered!” by Stowe Shoemaker, Ph.D. (Author) & Peter Yesawich, Ph.D. (Author)
32. “Outlive” by Peter Attia MD and Bill Gifford
33. "DISMISSED: Tackling the Biases That Undermine our Health Care" by Angela Marshall, M.D.
34. “Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: Lighten Up!” by Susan Greeley (Author)
35. "Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100" by Dr. Dr. Maoshing Ni
36. “When the Heavens Went On Sale” by Ashlee Vance
37. “Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference” by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli
38. “KING. A life.” by Jonathan Eig
39. "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs Who Live Life and Practice Medicine on Their Own Terms" by Dr. Nneka Unachukwu
40. “What To Do Next: Taking Your Best Step When Life Is Uncertain” by Jeff Henderson (Author)
41. “The Doctor’s Guide to Concierge Medicine” by Concierge Medicine Today (Author)
42. "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World" by Adam Grant and Sheryl Sandberg
43. "Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know" by Adam Grant
44. “Leading with Dignity: How to create a culture that brings out the best in people” by Donna Hicks
45. “Winning the War in your Mind” by Craig Groeschel
46. “Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life” by Tish Harrison Warren
47. "Rebel Ideas: The Power of Thinking Differently"by Matthew Syed
48. “The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication” by John Maxwell
49. "The Visibility Formula: Taking Your Business From Best Kept Secret To Household Name" by Dr. Nneka Unachukwu (Author)
50. "Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action" by Simon Sinek

We want to hear from you: what other books or resources would you add to this list? Email us at [email protected].

Books Specific to Physicians Wishing to Learn About Concierge Medicine or Peer Recommended That Concierge Medicine Physicians Have Read Specific To Filling a Knowledge Gap About Business During Their Transition Into Concierge Medicine

1. “The EntreMD Method: A Proven Roadmap for Doctors Who Want to Live Life and Practice Medicine on Their Terms” by Nneka Unachukwu

2. "The Power of Customer Experience: 5 Elements to Make An Impact" by Elizabeth Dixon
3. “What To Do Next: Taking Your Best Step When Life Is Uncertain” by Jeff Henderson (Author)
4. “The Doctor’s Guide to Concierge Medicine” by Concierge Medicine Today (Author)
5. THE ULTIMATE PRIVATE PRACTICE PLAYBOOK by Dr. Brook Choulet 
6. “The Other Side of Illness: Unexpected Blessings” by Dr. Robin Hall
7. "Hospitable Healthcare: Just What the Patient Ordered!” by Stowe Shoemaker, Ph.D. (Author) & Peter Yesawich, Ph.D. (Author)
8. "No More Waiting Rooms: A Customer Service Road Map to Help Remarkable Medical Offices Navigate Their Way Towards an Irresistible Practice Where Gratitude Is on Repeat!" by Michael Tetreault
9. "The Ultimate Private Practice Playbook: Step-by-Step Strategies for Building a Practice That’s Uniquely Yours" Paperback – Released: January 1, 2025 by Dr. Brook Choulet M.D. 
10. “Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise” by Horst Schulze, Dean Merrill, et al.
11. "The Comeback Effect" by Jason Young

Bonus!

1. “Necessary Endings” by Henry Cloud
2. “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara

You and I can’t always choose how or when to leave a job. And sometimes life isn’t fair. The point is that today, considering the legacy you’re about to leave behind [at your current workplace], you honor the people you’ve worked beside and the patients you’ve served.

A message from the Editor-in-Chief, Concierge Medicine Today

A Sept. 3, 2024, MGMA Stat poll found that 27% of medical groups report having a physician leave or retire early in 2024 due to burnout, compared to 68% that did not and 5% reporting “unsure.” Even more interesting is that a larger percentage of physicians in another survey expressed a likelihood of leaving their current position within the next few years, with some studies showing up to 35% considering a departure.

Whether you’re contemplating a leap into the world of concierge medicine or just daydreaming about your dream job, here are three simple questions you should consider if and when you decide to make a big move in your career!

But before we spotlight those questions, we should pause for just a minute and talk about the legacy you’re leaving behind—the people and patients you’ve served along the way. Physicians leave organizations every day and continue to do amazing things. And when you end a job or a position at a hospital or practice where you’ve worked well, that’s part of your legacy, too. Legacy isn’t just about the end of your career or estate planning.

You and I can’t always choose how or when to leave your job. And sometimes life isn’t fair. The point is that today, considering the legacy you’re about to leave behind, honor the people you’ve worked beside and the patients you’ve served. Legacy, as we’re discussing it today, isn’t something you should ignore because you got your feelings hurt or emotions are getting the best of you. Ignoring your legacy has the potential to undermine the life that you’ve lived and the gifts that you’ve given to the patients you’ve served, the colleagues you’ve worked next to all these years, and the opportunities you’ve given other people. So yeah, this a big deal. So asking these questions and really thinking about your legacy and who and what you’re leaving behind is an important conversation with the people around you right now.

• Who can you turn to for guidance?
  • We all recognize the value of sound advice intellectually but it's crucial to seek counsel from individuals within your network who won’t simply tell you what you want to hear but rather will support and guide you in making critical decisions and help you identify your blind spots. Think about creating a list of these people and reach out to them. Consider taking them out for lunch and telling them beforehand what you’d like to discuss. This will shorten the pleasantries and help shortcut the discussion around your primary concerns about a job transition.

• How much time will it take to heal the emotional and psychological wounds of the past workplace experience? 
  • Emotions often play a pivotal role in our decision-making. However, what will happen in six months when you discover that the new job has its own set of dysfunctional workplace issues? Allow yourself time to heal from the weight of the last workplace experience. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself a decade from now (or perhaps retired) and still traumatized by the same set of emotional wounds you never allowed to properly treat years ago.

• Will you take a leap or build a runway?
  • Financial concerns are not always the primary factor when it comes to changing careers or jobs. Often, it’s about better hours, a supportive boss, or more family time. Many physicians contemplating career transitions tend to overlook the “what if” questions: What if this doesn’t work out? What if I don’t enjoy the area? The list can be endless. When seeking career advice from trusted individuals, be cautious of platitudes. These can create a misleading sense of confidence. For instance, when you share your story, some may advise you to “Just take a leap of faith.” But where is your parachute? What does your financial runway look like if it doesn’t pan out? Others might suggest, “If you build it, they will come.” While these statements may hold some truth, they often lack a foundation in reality. If your next career move doesn’t succeed, what will you stand to lose? What are your exit strategies? How long is the contract? Who will be your actual boss?

At the end of day, you and I, the colleagues you know, your friends and associates, we all have something in common. That is the unfortunate reality that we will not be remembered necessarily for our finest hours, but our final hours. That’s very sobering for all of us and the reason why we’re so passionate and repetitive about our mission – and that is to be FOR Doctors. Because at the end of the day it’s no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it’s about being the best Doctor FOR the world, FOR your patients and FOR your local community.

Bonus: Here are the five books we encourage any Physician to read if you’re in a season of career transition.

1. “What To Do Next: Taking Your Best Step When Life Is Uncertain” by Jeff Henderson (Author)
2. “Necessary Endings” by Henry Cloud
3. “The Doctor’s Guide to Concierge Medicine” by Concierge Medicine Today (Author)
4. “Today Matters: 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success” by John C. Maxwell (Author)
5. The EntreMD Method:A Proven Roadmap for Doctors Who Want to Live Life and Practice Medicine on Their Terms” by Nneka Unachukwu

“If it’s not already obvious, I’m absolutely convinced thank you notes are one of the best over-the-counter remedies a medical office can use to apply first aid for treating those stressed out, grouchy, grinch-like moods [during the holidays] that happen in almost every practice."

By Editor, Concierge Medicine Today

The holiday season is like a golden ticket for doctors to shine bright in your community and creatively engage with your patients!

With creative thinking, time, and a clever marketing idea (or three!), I believe you can roll out the red carpet and make memorable patient and staff connections during this busy season.

Here are a few bright ideas we’ve observed over the years that we hope you might find helpful!

1. Organize a Community Charity Drive: Engaging in charitable acts can infuse your practice's office culture with positivity—it's a win for everyone involved! Consider collaborating with a local charity for a canned goods or toy drive. Reach out to a nearby charity or non-profit to find out their needs. Then, launch a giving campaign that includes information about the organization. This could be as straightforward as collecting socks and toothpaste, organizing a coat drive, or gathering food for a local shelter. You might even take inspiration from some medical offices we've seen by wrapping a large box in festive gift wrap, placing it in your lobby, and sending a social media post or email to patients about your holiday collection drive. Include easy instructions on how, where, and when they can drop off their unwrapped donations while enjoying some holiday hot cocoa (or tea, if that's more your style!). This initiative not only spreads joy but also brings smiles to your patients and staff who are eager to contribute. For instance, Children's Hospital Colorado has partnered with local charities during the holidays to encourage patient involvement and strengthen community ties. (Source: Children's Hospital Colorado annual reports) Approaches like these not only support local causes but also enhance goodwill among your community, as well as current and prospective patients and your team. 
2. What about a Holiday-Themed Patient Appreciation Event? Many concierge medical offices have decked the halls with festive parties, practice birthdays, and open houses to shower their patients with gratitude! Take a page from Mayo Clinic's playbook; they’ve hosted community health fairs during the holidays, complete with free health check-ups, tasty healthy treats, and wellness tips. It's a win-win—boosting patient loyalty while weaving stronger community bonds together! (Source: Mayo Clinic Community Engagement)
3. Holiday Wellness Kits offer a distinctive approach to health during the festive season. One great example we recently read about was the Cleveland Clinic, which occasionally supplied kits containing hand sanitizers, vitamins, nutritious recipes, and stress relief items to patients throughout the holidays. This initiative not only demonstrates genuine care but also promotes healthy lifestyle habits and practices. (Source: Cleveland Clinic Seasonal Campaign Reports)
4. Fun Social Media Activities: Plastic surgery, aesthetics, and concierge medicine are confidently showcasing their services on social media as if they own the stage! They’re connecting with their local social media audience and gaining new followers through holiday posts that are even more enjoyable than a snowball fight. Picture a local dentist launching their "12 Days of Smiles" celebration, delighting us with daily contests and health tips like it's confetti, all the while rewarding patients for their participation and commentary online! And let’s not overlook the pediatric doctor sporting those vibrant, eye-catching fun socks his patients love to comment about —talk about serious sock style! You could offer on your own social media accounts the opportunity for some lucky local follower to win some fun, quirky socks of their own or promote a new product or service offering you have just implemented in your practice to also help spread some holiday joy -- all the while transforming your online presence into a winter wonderland or warm, seasonable and festive commentary!
5. Seasonal Health Workshops are another great idea worth considering. You could host festive or seasonal-themed health workshop focused on stress relief strategies, healthy cooking recipe cards for the holidays, or even some winter wellness tips strategically designed to help your patients who are new or unfamiliar with your practice. Cleveland Clinic, for example, has successfully organized workshops that highlight managing holiday stress and healthy eating. (Source: Cleveland Clinic Educational Programs)

At the end of the season, these activities help keep your practice at the forefront of patients' minds while providing invaluable information to your local community. After all it’s no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it’s about being the best Doctor FOR the world, FOR your Patients and FOR your local community.

Fingers crossed, some of these clever ideas have sparked your holiday spirit and inspired you to spread a little holiday cheer on the bond between your healthcare heroes and your patients. Whatever you decide to do, doing good is always good FOR business, and boosting patient and brand loyalty helps keep the good vibes flowing throughout the holiday season!

(C) 2024 Concierge Medicine Today, LLC.

CONCIERGE MEDICINE TODAY IS THE INDUSTRY'S TRADE PUBLICATION, EST. 2007.

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(C) 2024 Concierge Medicine Today, LLC.

CONCIERGE MEDICINE TODAY IS THE INDUSTRY'S TRADE PUBLICATION, EST. 2007.

DISCLAIMER: THIS SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL, FINANCIAL, LEGAL, TAX OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Educational/general information purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show. Please do your due diligence. 

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

(C) 2024 Concierge Medicine Today, LLC.

CONCIERGE MEDICINE TODAY IS THE INDUSTRY'S TRADE PUBLICATION, EST. 2007.

DISCLAIMER: THIS SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL, FINANCIAL, LEGAL, TAX OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Educational/general information purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show. Please do your due diligence. 

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Dr. Christopher Loo is a orthopedic surgeon, serial entrepreneur, investor, author, consultant, executive coach, and keynote speaker. He received his MD-PhD from the medical scientist training program offered through the joint Baylor College of Medicine and Department of Bioengineering at Rice University.

In his mid-thirties, Dr. Loo achieved fast, fat F.I.R.E. through his multiple investments, and subsequently started his consulting company in 2017 to promote financial literacy among physicians. Dr. Loo is a 4x Amazon author including "How I Quit My Lucrative Medical Career and Achieved Financial Freedom Using Real Estate", is a regular podcast contributor to high profile social media sites including KevinMD, directs a monthly career success membership program, manages a 780+ member private Facebook group "Financial Freedom for Physicians", is an advisor to Valhalla Healthcare, an early AI healthcare startup, and is listed by Board Vitals as one of the top 50 MD's to follow on Instagram.

Connect with Dr. Christopher Loo on his LinkTree URLs - https://bit.ly/3g9j223

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DISCLAIMER: THIS SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL, FINANCIAL, LEGAL, TAX OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Educational/general information purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show. Please do your due diligence. 

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Disclaimer: This content, in whole or in part, along with its resources, links, mentions, and materials, does not offer legal, medical, financial, or any other professional advice. You assume all associated risks. We strongly encourage you to perform your own due diligence and work with a trusted advisor or professional or a competent attorney who understands your unique practice needs. 

Today, we're discussing why it's crucial to routinely revisit your Communication Policy with a trusted professional or a competent attorney with knowledge of this space.

But first, let me say this to the Physician who needs to hear it:

1. A well-written, often updated, and routinely revised Communication Policy is a form of self-care. Not only is it for the Physicians' mental and emotional health, but it's also for the Patients' benefit.
2. A well-written, often updated, and routinely revised Communication Policy helps maintain a healthy work-life balance, gives structure to your responses, and is critical to a successful marriage! In concierge medicine, a good communication policy and a secure messaging platform should free Physicians up to do what they do best. These two things working together should give you, your Practice and your Patients the freedom to respond to messages at their convenience, address questions promptly, and automatically document interactions in the patient's EMR. Don't look at them as a way to restrict communication. That's what the rest of healthcare attempts to do. You're different, and that's okay.  
3. A well-written, often updated, and routinely revised Communication Policy is a set of personal rules that become a matter of professional conscience. Remember, "... it's no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it's about being the best Doctor FOR the world, FOR your Patients, and FOR your local community."
4. A well-written, often updated, and routinely revised Communication Policy can help you avoid regrets that might otherwise occur.
5. A well-written, often updated, and routinely revised Communication Policy is a choice you make for yourself and will impact you and those closest to you.

READ FULL ARTICLE ...

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