Private practice vs. employment: What this GI would choose if he could do it again (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

Dr. Eric Esrailian, a gastroenterologist and health sciences clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, shared his perspective on the choice between private practice and employment for physicians. If he were to start his career again, Dr. Esrailian mentioned that he always saw himself being part of an academic institution due to the potential for community and global impact. Given the current medical landscape, he finds employment-based opportunities attractive for young graduates. Reasons include long-term income stability, benefits, and support. Institutions like UCLA Health offer clinician-educator career tracks, allowing for personal and professional growth while contributing to the community. Dr. Esrailian would prioritize these attributes in a position.