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by Grace Torres-Hodges (Author), Susan Patnaik (Editor)
Doctor Do, Doctor Don't is the book seasoned physicians wish they'd had in medical school-and the one many believe should be required reading for every medical student and resident.
In a healthcare system increasingly driven by bureaucracy, consolidation, and productivity metrics, physicians are rarely taught how the business and structure of medicine will shape their daily lives. Doctor Do, Doctor Don't fills that gap. Drawing on years of experience as a board-certified podiatrist, surgeon, private practice owner, and healthcare business consultant, Dr. Grace Torres-Hodges offers a clear, candid roadmap to building a career in medicine with eyes wide open.
This book pulls back the curtain on the forces that training often ignores:
- How contracts, compensation models, and insurance dependence quietly dictate your schedule, income, and autonomy
- Why employment arrangements and consolidation can erode physician judgment and the doctor-patient relationship-and what to do about it
- What every physician needs to know about financial literacy, practice models, and career design to avoid burnout and regret
Written in a practical, straight-talking style, Doctor Do, Doctor Don't helps readers recognize the "default settings" of modern medicine and replace them with intentional choices aligned with their values. It is equally relevant for:
- Medical students who want to understand the real-world landscape they are about to enter
- Residents navigating their first contracts and major career decisions
- Early- and mid-career physicians who sense that something is off-and are ready to reclaim control over how they practice
More than a critique, this is a playbook for designing a sustainable, satisfying life in medicine. If you refuse to let your career just happen to you, Doctor Do, Doctor Don't will show you what to do-and what to stop doing-so you can practice on your own terms.
