I have no idea if this is a proper forum for this, however, I have recently decided to try to significantly change my career. Currently I am a physician, a Radiologist, and I wish to get out of the field of medicine. Unfortunately, physicians are trained to do only one thing, and it is difficult to imagine what other endeavors I might successfully take up. Something in health care policy would be something that I might like, but I don’t even know where to start. Anyone have advice or true stories to help or encourage me?
Is there a way to find out what qualifications you need to work in the healthcare policy field? That might be your first step - do a little research into that field and get a better idea what it entails.
Another thing you might want to consider is what you like about your current profession, and what you don’t like. There may be things you can tweak that will end up in your career going in a much better direction without a complete change.
I don’t know anyone whose been hurt by getting an MBA. A typical career path for someone with your background would be to go to business school and then look for a career in management consulting as some sort of health care expert. Something like this for example.
If you want to do policy, an MPH is more appropriate than an MBA.
What about a MPA for policy?
More like an MPP, I’d think.
The AMA published a book: "Leaving the Bedside: The Search for a Non-Clinical Medical Career. You might find it helpful to locate a copy of that book.
Before you decide on a potential career . . . what things do you enjoy doing when you’re not being a physician?
What aspects of your current job do you enjoy? What do you not enjoy?
The big radiography equipment suppliers may want qualified radiologists for R&D. Though not nearly at the same level you are, my brother went from being an ultrasound tech to working for the ultrasound machine supplier.
I’m a non-clinical veterinarian who has made a career in public health. Plenty of MDs do the same. If you have an interest in epidemiology and can work with numbers, this might be an area for you. PM me if you’re curious.
Everybody who has to work with people who have MBAs.
Regards,
Shodan
My dad did a very similar thing. He was a general surgeon for many, many years, and got really sick of it. He was interested in moving into the business side of it, so he followed msmith537’s advice: Got himself an MBA. After that, it was a relatively easy matter to secure a position with a major insurance company as a medical director. He’s never been happier.
That was pretty much what I was thinking. 
I got my Master’s of Public Admin and looked at health policy before going into energy policy. There’s a TON of interesting issues and lots of money being thrown at the problem.
I dunno if it’s far enough away from medicine for your taste, but look into working for the manufacturers of radiology equipment. With your background you might be able to make a smooth transition into sales, R&D or marketing of said equipment.
Well… what do you want to do?
You have a job that most people would consider to be near the apex of the occupational pyramid in the US. The vast majority of non-clinical jobs available to you are going to be a pretty large step down in terms of money, and quite possibly social prestige. You’re obviously smart enough to take on the analytical side of most jobs.
So what’s your bliss?