Is Private Practice Right for You Right Now?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  1. When I think about private practice, my dominant feeling is:

  • A.
    Excitement and curiosity — I think about it often
  • B.
    Interest mixed with fear and uncertainty
  • C.
    Overwhelm or avoidance — I push the thought away
• 2.
  2. My current job feels:

  • A.
    Misaligned with how I want to practice medicine
  • B.
    Tolerable, but I know I don’t want to do this forever
  • C.
    Comfortable and mostly satisfying
• 3.
  3. I have a rough idea of how I’d want to practice (hours, model, patient type):

  • A.
    Yes — I can describe it clearly
  • B.
    Some ideas, but nothing concrete
  • C.
    Not really — I just know I want something different
• 4.
  4. When it comes to business knowledge:

  • A.
    I’m willing to learn what I don’t know
  • B.
    I find it intimidating but manageable
  • C.
    I strongly dislike anything business-related
• 5.
  5. My financial situation right now feels:

  • A.
    Stable enough to explore a transition with planning
  • B.
    Tight, but potentially workable with strategy
  • C.
    Too stressful to think about change
• 6.
  6. I am willing to:

  • A.
    Invest time, energy, and money into building something sustainable
  • B.
    Invest time but hesitant about financial investment
  • C.
    Not willing to invest beyond casual curiosity
• 7.
  7. When obstacles come up, I tend to:

  • A.
    Problem-solve and look for guidance
  • B.
    Pause, overthink, then slowly move forward
  • C.
    Freeze or abandon the idea
• 8.
  8. I’ve had at least one moment where I thought:

  • A.
    “There has to be a better way to practice medicine”
  • B.
    “I wish my job looked different”
  • C.
    “This is just how medicine is”
• 9.
  9. My support system (mentors, peers, family) is:

  • A.
    Encouraging or open-minded
  • B.
    Neutral or unsure
  • C.
    Discouraging or resistant
• 10.
  10. If I don’t make a change in the next 2–3 years, I will feel:

  • A.
    Concerned or uneasy
  • B.
    Unsure, but accepting
  • C.
    Completely fine with that

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Not Right Now...And That’s Okay

  Private practice may not be your immediate next move, but that doesn’t mean never. Your focus right now should be on stability, mindset, and gathering information without pressure.Next step: Passive learning and reflection — no rushing required.Check out episodes of Physicians Hanging a Shingle podcast to help you learn more about private practice, without the pressure.
• 2.
  You’re in the Exploration Phase

  You’re not behind — you’re exactly where many successful practice owners started. Your hesitation isn’t a “no,” it’s a sign you need clarity, structure, and reassurance.Next step: Education, low-risk planning, and confidence-building.Here's a private practice startup checklist I created to make sure you know the most important steps to building a private practice!Check out the Plan to Practice Digital Course to help you develop a business plan to get your practice ideas out of your head and into action!
• 3.
  You’re Ready to Start Planning

  Private practice is not just a dream — it’s a realistic next step with the right plan. You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow, but this is the ideal time to clarify your model, finances, and timeline.Next step: Structured planning + expert guidance.Here's a private practice startup checklist I created to make sure you know the most important steps to building a private practice!Check out the Plan to Practice Digital Course to help you develop a business plan to get your practice ideas out of your head and into action!