Report: Physicians turning to side gigs

A growing number of physicians are taking on side gigs to earn extra income, according to a new report from Medscape. Of the more than 2,500 physicians surveyed for the report, 37% reported having a side gig.

Physicians were surveyed between March and May of this year. Among those who started their side gigs within the past year, 45% cited COVID-19 hardships as the reason they pursued their side gigs. On average, physicians earned $25,300 from their side gigs in the past year. Nearly half of those with side gigs said not having enough time prevents them from being more successful at their side gigs.

Most side gigs involved medical-related activities, such as medical consulting, serving as expert witnesses, performing chart review, medical moonlighting, and consulting and advising via telemedicine. Nonmedical side gigs included real estate, investing, teaching, and writing. Some respondents reported other side gigs like owning a vegan restaurant, buying and selling antiques online, and owning a picture framing shop.

Nearly half of physicians with side gigs reported that they found them to be equally fulfilling as their primary jobs. Twenty-three percent said their side gigs were more fulfilling than their primary jobs.

Source: Medscape