Exploring Creative Careers in Medicine
Medicine has long followed well-worn paths: clinical practice, specialist training, research, or hospital-based roles. Yet an exciting shift is underway. Through networks like Creative Careers in Medicine (CCIM)—a community founded by trailblazers such as Dr Amandeep Hansra—health professionals are exploring paths that defy convention, blending clinical passion with artistry, advocacy, education, entrepreneurship, and more.
This growing movement thrives on reimagining what a medical career can be, unbound by traditional expectations. Within this vibrant community—numbering well into the tens of thousands—members support each other in forging paths aligned with their values and interests.
Unconventional Paths, Unique Rewards
Physicians are pursuing roles that fuel creativity and impact:
Advocacy and social enterprise—using their medical expertise to drive change beyond the clinic.
Art, writing, podcasting, and media—sharing stories, educating, and reaching audiences in new ways.
Health tech entrepreneurship—building solutions for better access, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
Education, leadership, and administration—reshaping systems from within.
Report writing, digital health, and legal medicine—areas where medical insights offer a fresh lens on complex challenges.
Research—participation in high quality research and clinical trials
These creative paths enrich professional lives in multiple ways: rekindling passion, offering flexibility, enabling broader influence, and providing personal fulfilment.
Maybe your path isn’t traditional?
The Challenge of Traditional CPD
Yet the journey isn't without friction. Professional isolation, lack of college oversight / support, uncertain career progression and security are just a few.
Another limitation is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)—the rigid framework for which creates challenge for some. Many creative roles like teaching, administration, health writing, or tech projects don’t always align with standard CPD categories or offer enough accredited learning opportunities. Nor is it easy on those at the margins - those who work sporadically, or those towards the ends of their careers.
This misalignment creates hurdles: it can be difficult for non‑clinical or hybrid roles to meet mandatory hours or to have their work recognised within the established frameworks of CPD.
CCIM Conference 2025: Let’s Create
The CCIM Conference 2025 takes place this weekend—Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August—at the Pullman & Mercure Melbourne Albert Park. With the theme “Let’s Create”, the event celebrates the many diverse directions medical careers can take.
Attendees will hear from inspiring clinician-creatives including Dr Janice Tan, Dr Tony Schiemer, Dr Preeya Alexander and others, and will be able to join interactive breakout sessions such as From Idea to Impact: Clinical Entrepreneurs, From Bugs to Breakthroughs: Technology and AI in Medicine, Medicine & the Arts: Stethoscopes & Stage Lights, Going Viral: Media Medicine and Lights, Camera, Medicine: YouTube Stars, Write What You Know: Doctors & Writers, and Medicine with a Mission: Social Enterprise & Advocacy.
The program also includes sessions on leadership, corporate and advisory board roles, and community-driven innovation, alongside a dynamic mix of workshops, networking opportunities, and storytelling to inspire fresh thinking and purposeful action in medicine.
This conference is a culmination of CCIM’s mission to equip clinicians with the courage, confidence, and skills to design careers that reflect their passions—not predefined expectations
Osler at the Conference: CPD Support and Insights
We’re proud that Osler will be exhibiting at the CCIM 2025 trade fair. In fact, many of our team have wandered along a different path too, so we feel ideally placed to understand your perspectives.
Our team will be present to discuss how creative career paths interact with CPD.
What You Can Expect at the Osler Booth:
Personal conversations—ask anything about how non-traditional roles can satisfy CPD requirements.
Guidance for your unique journey—learn about strategies and pathways for creative professionals to capture CPD value.
Short recorded videos—attendees will be invited to share their stories using one of two prompts:
“What creative directions has your career path taken?”
“What creative ideas have you had for your career from this conference (or are you seeking from the conference)?”
Conference discount-join up at the conference and get a great discount!
Why Now Is the Time to Rethink Medicine
Medicine’s future lies not only in innovation and technology, but also in the creativity and diversity of those who walk through its doors. Creative paths offer deeper engagement, adaptability, resilience, and wider societal impact.
But without structures that validate these roles—like flexible CPD—many potential pioneers risk being held back.
That’s why CCIM’s work matters now more than ever. Through its Facebook group, podcast, job boards, and the annual conference, the community builds support structures for those forging alternative paths
Stay Connected
Follow CCIM on Facebook: [Creative Careers in Medicine] and tag your inspiring stories with #CCIM2025
On Twitter: @CCIM_official
Catch up with their podcast and explore more online at their website and social channels.
Whether you're a clinician considering a creative pivot or already crafting a bold, unconventional path—now is the moment to connect, learn, and grow. We'll see you in Melbourne—let's create something extraordinary together.