When we think of doctors, the image that often comes to mind is a white-coated clinician seeing patients in an exam room. But as Dr. Nondumiso Makhunga-Stevenson shared with me, the role of a doctor encompasses so much more.
Nondumiso has had a varied career path since completing her medical training in South Africa. In addition to clinical work, she has held roles in hospital management, non-profit organizations, and now as an executive and leadership development coach. Throughout her journey, Nondumiso has grappled with the question of what it truly means to be a doctor.
"For the most part, our training tends to narrow our thinking," Nondumiso explained. "We really need to be clinicians, yet there are a myriad of other options out there, even within the clinical pathways."
This narrow view of the "doctor identity" often stems from our early exposure to the profession - whether it's a family member, a TV show, or a childhood visit to the paediatrician. We tend to associate being a doctor solely with seeing patients and making diagnoses.
But Nondumiso has found that expanding one's understanding of the doctor's identity can open up a world of possibilities. As a coach, she works with early-career doctors who are exploring non-clinical paths, helping them realize that they don't have to abandon their identity as a doctor.
"It doesn't have to be permanent either," Nondumiso said. "There have been times where I was in non-clinical medicine at very senior management levels, and then I went back to general practice. I didn't change and lose my qualifications just because I was not patient-facing."
The foundation for growth , Nondumiso has found, is cultivating self-awareness and a growth mindset. Doctors need to be willing to acknowledge their knowledge gaps and be open to continuous learning, whether through formal education, mentorship, or simply by being curious and asking questions.
"If there's an area that you can improve on, whether it's through courses or further education, that builds your confidence because then you can get more knowledge and you can start to then show up and be more confident about what you don't know," Nondumiso said.
This mindset of humility and lifelong learning is crucial, especially as doctors navigate new challenges and unfamiliar territory outside of the clinical setting. It allows them to embrace the many facets of being a doctor, from researcher to coach to executive, without losing sight of their core identity and purpose.
So the next time you think of a doctor, remember that the white coat is just one part of a much richer and more diverse professional landscape. The true essence of being a doctor lies in the dedication to continuous growth, the commitment to serving others, and the willingness to explore the full breadth of what it means to be a healer in the modern world.
Don’t be afraid to imagine something different for yourself. With a little creativity and an open mindset, the right path will emerge. And you can find the guidance you need during our upcoming Lucens Rotation: Training to Employment: Land Your First Job After Residency & Fellowship, beginning on September 25, 2024. Our Guides and Mentors have been there, done that and are eager to share the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
