During a recent call, a physician casually mentioned she’s been wading through the telemedicine waters for four years. You know, just a little something she picked up on the side—like knitting or collecting vintage spoons. Before we could even nod enthusiastically, she threw in that it was merely a “side gig.” Spoiler alert: It’s been her entire practice.
We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve had similar delightful exchanges. Sure, the specifics change, but the underlying apology remains the same. There’s this specific tone that physicians adopt when discussing their second jobs, as if they expect a round of polite chuckles in disbelief.
Let’s delve into the “language” here: side gig, moonlighting, supplemental income, hustle. These terms are passed down like priceless family heirlooms, echoing a version of medicine where the hospital was the holy grail and everything else was just a way to scrape together a little cash during residency or fill the void between jobs. This quaint notion still exists… like rotary phones and VHS tapes. But here’s the kicker: it’s been outdated for quite some time now.
Consider this amusing little statistic: Medicare telehealth visits skyrocketed from 840,000 in 2019 to a whopping 52.7 million in 2020—yes, you read that right. That’s a 63-fold increase in a single year, and we’re still only counting Medicare. It doesn’t even factor in commercial insurance or out-of-pocket cash. Sure, the pandemic got the ball rolling, but five years later, this phenom isn’t going back in the box. Patients took a leap, and now they’re splashing around happily, demanding that the infrastructure keep up. Spoiler: It did. The language? Well, it’s still swimming in the shallow end.
Now, this language isn’t merely a harmless artifact; it’s a web of identity woven so tightly that unraveling it feels like ripping off a band-aid slowly. Many of us were molded within a narrow framework of what a physician should be—fully devoted to the ivory tower of health care. Anything resembling deviation could send physicians spiraling into an identity crisis while apologizing profusely. At the heart of it, this apology isn’t about the work; it’s about not stepping outside of the expected drama.
But here’s the twist: the price of sticking to this antiquated picture is more costly than physicians care to admit—and they’re not the only ones picking up the tab. Picture this: a physician quietly decides they’d prefer more remote work. They start picking up “side shifts,” assuring themselves it’s nothing serious. They stick with the “side gig” narrative, neglecting to secure necessary licenses in easily accessible states or to familiarize themselves with contract negotiations. Fast-forward three years, and they’re still stuck in the “side gig” rut, perpetually under-qualified and under-utilized. Guess what? The side gig framing leads straight to side gig outcomes. The work? Not so small. It’s the frame that diminishes it.
Here’s the real kicker: tens of millions of patients are now relying on digital consultations every year. The effectiveness of that care hinges on whether physicians actually choose to invest in it. A physician who solely refers to this remote work as a side gig isn’t assembling the multi-state licenses that ensure continuity, nor cultivating the technical prowess to avoid mishaps that could make a circus look organized. Sadly, committed physicians—yes, they exist—generate better outcomes. And no, that competency doesn’t magically vanish when they’re peering into a screen.
Suneer Chander, MD, and Takashi Nakamura, MD, co-founders of AIR Physician Academy, are board-certified emergency physicians who’ve crafted telemedicine plots of their own. They’ve navigated more than 250 physicians through the wild west of traditional clinical practice into the comforting embrace of virtual care, offering strategies for multi-state licensing, contract negotiation, and long-term career improvements.
Dr. Chander graduated from Boston University with two decades under his belt in emergency medicine, while Dr. Nakamura honed his skills at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Connecticut, practicing in two Level 1 trauma centers for a solid twelve years. Both are seasoned telemedicine practitioners dedicated to empowering physicians to operate on their own terms—without sacrificing their clinical expertise.
AIR Physician Academy serves as a physician-led telemedicine training program designed for doctors who adore medicine but prefer to steer their own ship. A structured curriculum, a community of peers, and expert guidance combine to help physicians carve out telemedicine careers that align beautifully with their lifestyles. Graduates find themselves not just in rewarding clinical practices and telehealth ventures, but also competent at negotiating competitive contracts while reclaiming their precious time and autonomy. Keep an eye on AIR Physician Academy’s updates on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
