Taking time away from clinical practice, whether for parental leave, burnout recovery, a sabbatical, or personal reasons is increasingly common. An estimated 10,000 physicians are eligible to reenter practice each year. With proper planning and the right resources, returning to clinical medicine can mark the beginning of a more sustainable and fulfilling career phase.
Steps to Successfully Reenter Practice
1. Assess Your Licensing and Certification Status
Determine where you stand with credentials:
- State Medical License: Contact your state medical board about requirements. Some states require demonstration of recent clinical activity or additional CME hours if your license has lapsed.
- Board Certification: Check with your specialty board regarding maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements. Physicians with lapsed board certification should recertify, and those with lifetime certification should consider voluntarily enrolling in MOC to demonstrate current knowledge.
- DEA Registration and Hospital Privileges: Renew as needed and understand that obtaining privileges after a break may require additional documentation.
2. Engage with Formal Reentry Programs
Structured programs refresh clinical skills and knowledge:
These programs typically include self-assessment, didactic coursework, clinical shadowing, hands-on skills refreshers, and evaluation components. Programs vary in duration (weeks to months) and cost ($2,000-$25,000+).
3. Update Your Clinical Knowledge and Skills
- CME Courses: Pursue continuing education focused on recent advances in your specialty
- Technology Training: Familiarize yourself with current EHR systems, telemedicine platforms, and AI-assisted tools
- Observerships and Preceptorships: Shadow colleagues and work under supervision to rebuild confidence
- Simulation Training: Use simulation labs for high-stakes procedures
- Part-Time Work: Consider easing back with per diem or locum positions
4. Complete Credentialing Requirements
- Secure malpractice insurance from carriers who understand physician reentry
- Gather documentation of reentry activities, references, and training verification
- Prepare for hospital credentialing and potential peer review
Presenting a Career Gap on Your CV
Be Direct and Professional
Address gaps clearly:
- “Career Break for Family Caregiving, 2021-2023”
- “Medical Sabbatical for Burnout Recovery and Professional Development, 2022-2024”
- “Parental Leave and Skills Refreshment, 2020-2023”
Highlight Your Activities
If you engaged in professional activities during your break, include them: medical writing, consulting, teaching, volunteer work, research, or professional development.
Frame It Positively in Your Cover Letter
Provide context and demonstrate readiness:
- Briefly explain the reason for your break
- Detail your preparation steps
- Express confidence in your readiness to deliver excellent patient care
Example: “After taking a two-year break to address personal health needs, I completed the Drexel Physician Reentry Program, obtained 150 CME hours focused on advances in cardiology, and completed a three-month preceptorship at Academic Medical Center. I return with renewed energy, updated knowledge, and deep appreciation for the privilege of practicing medicine.”
Addressing Common Concerns
“Will employers see my gap as a red flag?” Increasingly, no. Healthcare organizations facing workforce shortages recognize that experienced physicians who take time away and return can be valuable hires. Demonstrate thorough preparation and commitment to quality care.
“Can I return to the same specialty?” Generally, yes, especially if you complete appropriate reentry programs. Specialties with rapidly evolving techniques may require more intensive skills refreshment.
“How do I explain burnout?” Frame it proactively: “I recognized signs of burnout and took time to recover and develop strategies for long-term well-being, allowing me to return as a more effective and sustainable physician.”
Moving Forward with Confidence
Taking time away from clinical practice doesn’t define your career—how you return does. With thorough preparation, transparency about your journey, and commitment to excellent patient care, you can successfully reenter medicine and build a sustainable, fulfilling practice.
The medical field needs experienced physicians who have learned to prioritize their own wellness alongside patient care. Whether you’ve been away for six months or six years, the path back to clinical practice is navigable. Take it one step at a time, leverage available resources, and remember that thousands of physicians have successfully walked this path before you.
Are you a physician considering a return to practice? Visit Career Beat to explore opportunities with employers who value physician wellness and sustainable career paths.
Written by Paul Strubell
