Have you ever thought about moving to Europe?
Life has bogged you down a little. Your job may get boring. Are you feeling the drag of burnout? Try something different, have a new experience, and mix things up.
But the biggest problem? You’re a physician.
Fortunately, physicians in the U.S. enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world. There is no need to worry about searching for a new job in a foreign country where you would likely be paid much less than your current job. Simply keep your well-paying job in the U.S. and structure your travels around a modified work schedule.
How does a person move to Europe but maintain their practice as a physician in the United States?
It may sound crazy. You must think it would be impossible to coordinate such an adventure, especially considering your medical practice and all the scheduling demands that accompany your busy life as a clinician. It sounds absurd.
I thought so, too—until I did it.
The adventure of a lifetime
I took my family of five (my wife and three children) to Europe for over a year and continued with my medical practice back in the States! It wasn’t easy to turn this concept into a reality. It was a massive undertaking that required months of planning and coordinating. I will not sugarcoat it for you: The process was time-consuming and stressful. But in the end, the result was well worth all the effort and headaches.
Here’s what we gained while living abroad as a physician:
- A once-in-a-lifetime adventure: We embraced a unique opportunity to escape the daily grind and explore life from a new perspective.
- Explored iconic landmarks: Immersed in countless destinations, from famous landmarks to hidden gems.
- Cultural immersion: We experienced diverse traditions, languages, and lifestyles that broadened our worldviews and enriched our family bonds.
- Culinary delights: Every stop was a chance to savor local cuisine—delicious, authentic meals that added to the joy of discovery.
- Shared unforgettable moments: From spontaneous adventures to quiet family evenings, we created memories that will last a lifetime.
- An immersive educational experience: My kids learned a new language and were exposed to a variety of new cultures in a way that can’t be taught in the classroom!
This experience changed my life in ways I never imagined possible. I have zero regrets—only one lingering thought: Why didn’t I do this sooner?
My background
I am a board-certified and residency-trained ER doctor practicing in the private sector for about ten years. I completed a four-year ER residency and then started the grind of work immediately after residency. My wife is currently not working, so all of our income comes from my clinical work as a physician. If we wanted to move to Europe, I had to find a way to continue working clinically to maintain our same lifestyle.
Earning a physician wage in the U.S. vastly differs from the wages physicians command in other countries. For example, according to GPT, the average ER doctor working full-time at 37.5 hours per week in Europe earns about $13,000 per month.
Can you relate?
Does this sound familiar? My story sounds similar to yours. We studied extremely hard during our undergraduate and medical school studies. This is followed by intense training and challenging residency conditions where we make little more than minimum wage. After residency, we finally go out into “the real world” as attending physicians, where we grind away for the next 30+ years of our lives in a profession that starts to feel like it has lost its allure—all while struggling with cumbersome EMRs and documentation requirements, ridiculous insurance companies, demanding patients, and overbearing administrators. It is no surprise that over half of U.S. physicians are feeling burnt out!
There are many physician burnout solutions, but travel is one of the best, so I’m sharing my story.
Why I’m sharing my story
I hope this story inspires other doctors to reimagine what’s possible in their careers. Maybe it isn’t moving to Europe; maybe it will be volunteering with Doctors Without Borders or another volunteer organization. Perhaps you want to change your clinical practice so that you can pursue another hobby or career. Or maybe you are simply tired of the grind and need to change. Whatever it is, I just hope to provide you with some inspiration.
If you have ever considered making a significant change and want to leap from the hamster wheel that has become the practice of medicine in the U.S., please follow along with me as I share my experience.
What about you?
Have you ever thought about making a significant change?
Maybe you don’t want to be a U.S. physician living in Europe but have other aspirations.
What’s holding you back?
Work-life balance for physicians is difficult. Take control today. Set a plan.
Are you ready to reimagine your life in medicine?
In this blog series, I will take you through the details of my adventure. I am going to start at the beginning and explain how we came up with this crazy idea and move into some of the details of how I adjusted my clinical practice to accommodate my adventure.
What did my work schedule look like? What do you do with your home, your car, your pet? I will talk about the visa process. Then, I will discuss logistics, such as what to take with you, how to find a home to rent, and how to handle health care. Do you need a car? Where do the kids go to school, and how do you manage the travel? Are you looking for some travel hacks when flying internationally? Well, I have a few that I will share!
There is a lot to cover, and I am excited to share my story, so please follow along with me. I hope my story will inspire you to do something unique and different. I don’t have all the answers, and every situation differs, but I know that going on this adventure was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
Benjamin Stone, DO is an emergency physician and the director of physician engagement, Contract Diagnostics.
Discover more perspectives on physician compensation by exploring the Contract Diagnostics blog or connecting on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
The Contract Diagnostics team offers comprehensive consulting services tailored to physicians and their families, addressing employment contracts and compensation structures. Our expertise spans contract physician compensation, schedules, benefits, and more.
Our mission is to establish a central resource where physicians can access information, consulting, and coaching to navigate the intricacies of employment contracts and compensation structures, ensuring equitable remuneration.
