Cardiologists have opportunities to transition to different roles outside of traditional clinical care. In this article, we describe the potential opportunities for cardiologists in pharmaceutical, medical insurance, health technology and management consulting. We highlight some unique considerations for each industry and discuss a strategic approach to engage in these opportunities.

The pharmaceutical industry presents several opportunities for cardiologists. Those with significant basic research background are well positioned in roles related to drug development and discovery. These roles range from molecule and target identification in preclinical research to later-stage clinical development and operations. Engagement with academia to provide a pipeline of newer drugs and discoveries in the field of cardiovascular and cardiorenal–metabolic disorders is also within the purview of research and development. On the other hand, cardiologists with hands-on clinical expertise and clinical study experience are better suited as therapeutic area leaders and medical affairs professionals and may be engaged with brand teams in product launch, market access and reimbursement, marketing communications and postmarket surveillance activities.1 This could involve a wide spectrum of responsibilities from clinical evidence generation including clinical studies, drug safety, implementation research, and interactions with regulatory bodies and medical communities at large.

For practising clinical cardiologists looking for side jobs, the pharmaceutical industry provides …