Your first oncology job isn't just about salary—it's about understanding who controls your practice, your patients, and your future. This practical career perspective highlights the paucity of formal education on the business of medicine despite its profound impact on career satisfaction. The article urges trainees to look beyond compensation and carefully evaluate practice finances, payer mix, overhead, RVU expectations, contract terms, workflow efficiency, EMRs, staffing, partnership pathways, referral networks, and restrictive covenants such as noncompete clauses. Understanding how revenue is generated and how decisions are made is essential to long-term success and autonomy in any practice setting. | McAneny, JCO Pract oncol
