As the U.S. healthcare system grapples with an impending physician shortage, one seasoned neonatologist is stepping forward—not with policy solutions, but with something more personal and pragmatic: wisdom from the front lines.
Dr. Tung Giep, a longtime neonatologist and former practice owner in Houston, has compiled decades of real-world insights into The Business of Medicine: The Definitive Guide to Help New Physicians Start Their Career on the Right Path and Avoid Costly Mistakes. The book, aimed at medical residents, nurse practitioners, and even healthcare-adjacent professionals, offers a crash course in what they don’t teach in medical school.
“It’s critically important for new physicians and nurse practitioners to have a solid understanding of business before they enter the workforce,” Giep says. “From how to pick a practice to what to look for in an employment contract—these are things they need to know so they don’t find themselves in a sticky situation.”
A System That Doesn’t Prepare You
The timing of Giep’s message couldn’t be more urgent. According to the Bureau of Health Workforce, the U.S. will face a shortage of nearly 200,000 physicians by 2036. More than 75 million Americans already live in health professional shortage areas. For young providers entering this landscape, Giep believes preparation, especially on the business side, is not just helpful, but essential.
“I recently saw a statistic that 60 percent of new graduates will change jobs within the first three years,” he says. “I think it’s because many are ill-prepared for their first job.”
Read the Fine Print Or Regret It
Among the biggest blind spots for new healthcare professionals, Giep says, is failing to fully understand the employment contracts they sign.
“There is a misconception that non-compete clauses are not enforceable. I’m here to tell you that if you sign it, you essentially waive your rights,” he warns. “Big hospital systems have deep pockets and a team of attorneys that will work to enforce it. Your best bet is to negotiate better terms upfront.”
He’s equally cautious about termination clauses and notice periods. Some contracts require six months’ notice to leave a position, a dealbreaker for many employers who can’t wait that long to fill a vacancy.
“If it seems excessive, negotiate before you sign,” Giep advises. “An employment attorney is the best resource to help young graduates in this process and set them up for success.”
Lessons From the Business Side of Medicine
Giep speaks from experience, not only as a clinician but also as a former private practice owner. Running his own practice gave him a front-row seat to the delicate balance between medical care and business operations.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was how important it is to think strategically about your relationships,” he says. “As a physician, your status and resources naturally attract a wide range of interests. You have to partner with people who genuinely respect and value you.”
That hard-earned lesson permeates the book, which doubles as both a professional guide and a mentor-in-a-book for early-career physicians.
Customer Service: The Secret Weapon
Another surprising insight from Giep’s book? Great medicine is also great customer service.
“Great customer service boils down to time management and effective communication,” he says. “Administrators, patients, and colleagues want your time and attention. If you provide exceptional service, word will get around—and your practice will flourish.”
He encourages healthcare providers to build trust and rapport through questions like: Is there anything I can do for you? How can I help?
“It’s not about being a people pleaser,” he adds. “It’s about earning trust and showing up for the people you work with and care for.”
The AI Disruption and Opportunity
While many worry about the impending physician shortage, Giep believes the integration of AI may balance out the demand.
“I honestly don’t think we will experience a significant physician shortage due to the rapid adoption of AI,” he says. “Some medical fields and support staff may even be replaced.”
He envisions a future where AI tools take on administrative burdens, like documentation and language translation, freeing up doctors to spend more time with patients.
“Apple is launching AirPods that can translate conversations in real time,” he says. “Just think about a physician using that in a patient’s room. Not only does it translate the conversation, it transcribes it into a note that can be edited and added to the patient’s chart. It will save so much time.”
Giep encourages providers to lean into these tools and help shape their implementation rather than resist them.
“Patients will always want human interaction from their physicians,” he says. “AI won’t replace that—but it can support it.”
Knowing Your Limits Is Strength
After decades in medicine, Giep has no shortage of insights. But when asked what advice he wishes he had received at the beginning of his career, his answer is simple and powerful.
“Good communication is the foundation of a successful career,” he says. “I don’t care how smart you are—if a patient doesn’t understand what you’re saying, you’ve failed.”
That mindset, he explains, applies just as much to colleagues and administrators as it does to patients.
Perhaps most notably, Giep closes with a message on humility, a quality he believes sets apart the best physicians.
“Good doctors are the ones who know their limitations,” he says. “They know when to hold onto a patient and when to refer out to a specialist. Confidence means knowing when to ask for help.”
In a field often defined by credentials and competition, Giep’s message is refreshingly grounded. It’s about showing up; not just as a clinician, but as a communicator, collaborator, and leader.
As he winds down his own clinical career, Dr. Tung Giep is just getting started in his role as mentor to the next generation. And with The Business of Medicine, he’s offering young professionals a gift far more valuable than any textbook: the benefit of experience.
For more information, you can purchase Dr. Giep’s book here.
Daniel Casciato is a seasoned healthcare writer, publisher, and product reviewer with two decades of experience. He founded Healthcare Business Today to deliver timely insights on healthcare trends, technology, and innovation. His bylines have appeared in outlets such as Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials, MedEsthetics Magazine, EMS World, Pittsburgh Business Times, Post-Gazette, Providence Journal, Western PA Healthcare News, and he has written for clients like the American Heart Association, Google Earth, and Southwest Airlines. Through Healthcare Business Today, Daniel continues to inform and inspire professionals across the healthcare landscape.
