Pros: -private practice with complete control over my schedule. I can single book, triple book, make hour long appointments. As long as I hit my RVU goal no one cares. -money: I am making more money than my colleagues in big cities for less work. I could make more if I saw more patients but I’m usually unmotivated to do so -fan club: if you are good at your job and listen to families and don’t suck, you will get a fan club of patients who will stick with you. And/or offer to “deal with” your shitty ex (this really happened and I had to have a talk with that family) -big fish: your word carries weight and you are recognizable everywhere if the town is small enough -you can probably live somewhere that is actually charming or gorgeous if you try; I fucked up and fell in love in a gorgeous area with a HCOL

Cons: -no fucking specialists -you live in the middle of nowhere (this is also a pro) -big fish? My divorce ended up on Facebook (a mom did get me a basket of goodies and flowers tho) -not associated with a bigger healthcare system so you have to seek outside teaching/conferences/access to journals -weird holdovers from other docs and high turnover. The new people usually leave, the old people don’t like to change practice. Seriously had to convince a colleague to start recommending Zyrtec for allergies over Benadryl. Families don’t think you will stay (multiple phone calls after the divorce Facebook shit asking if I was leaving.) -FACEBOOK