Reentry Into Clinical Practice

Women and men who reenter clinical practice after a period of clinical inactivity often face personal, professional, and institutional obstacles. Although many associations and academic medical institutions realize the critical importance of retaining and promoting highly qualified individuals, it is equally important for health care professionals to have the opportunity to return to a successful professional career following extended clinical inactivity. Here we provide a review of factors that may contribute to clinical inactivity, discuss challenges associated with the reentry process, describe current reentry efforts, and propose recommendations for future directions.