Passive Income for Time-Starved Physicians: Where to Start

Can I Really Build Passive Income If I’m a Full-Time Surgeon?

This is a real question someone asked me at PIMDCON, and I figured it was worth answering here. If one person had the question, chances are others do too.

If you’re reading this and you’re a full-time surgeon (or cardiologist, or honestly any other busy physician), the idea of building passive income might feel completely unrealistic. Between surgeries, clinic, charting, and all the other things crowding your schedule, how could you possibly add one more thing to your plate?

I get it. I’ve been there.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “You’re an anesthesiologist, not a surgeon.” And maybe that old stereotype of the anesthesiologist doing crossword puzzles crosses your mind.

But as an OB anesthesiologist, I had plenty of days where I was running nonstop between rooms, barely finding time to eat lunch. Add in 24-hour shifts and trying to recover between them, and I felt like I had zero free time. I definitely didn’t feel like I could take on something new like investing in real estate or starting a business.

Still, one question kept coming back to me:

“Is this it? Is this really how my life is going to look for the next 20 or 30 years?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself that, you’re not alone. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let’s Redefine Passive Income

When people hear “passive income,” they usually picture themselves lounging on a beach, drink in hand, while money just shows up in their bank account.

That’s not what I’m talking about.

For physicians, passive income means creating additional income streams that don’t require putting in more clinical hours. It’s about building something once—an investment, a business, a course, a rental property—and having it continue to generate income over time.

It’s really more like scalable income. And yes, it takes some effort up front.

But is it worth it?

Absolutely.

But I’m a Full-Time Surgeon. Do I Even Have Time?

Totally fair question. The answer is yes… but you have to be intentional.

You’ve already done hard things. You made it through med school, residency, and fellowship. You’ve managed the pressure, made tough calls, and figured out how to function through chaos. Those same skills can be applied to building income outside of medicine.

When I started my own journey, I didn’t quit my job. I didn’t go back to school. I didn’t magically find more hours in my day.

Here’s what I did:

• Used my commute time to listen to podcasts and audiobooks about finance and real estate
• Read one blog post or book chapter each day, often during lunch
• Took an online real estate course on weekends
  Reached out to people already doing the things I wanted to learn

These steps were small, but they created compounding results over time.

Start With Why

If you’re reading this far, you’re probably searching for something more—more time, more freedom, more flexibility to practice medicine in a way that aligns with your values.

And here’s the truth: building passive income gives you options.

• Want to stop working nights and weekends?
• Want to reduce your hours and spend more time with your family?
• Want to say no to a toxic contract or step away from admin overload?
• Want to do mission work or finally take that month-long vacation?

All of this becomes possible. But you have to start with clarity.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of life do I want to live?
• Why does that life matter to me?
• How much passive income would I need to support that lifestyle?

Once you’re clear on those answers, your next steps become much easier to see.

The Shift That Changed Everything for Me

The lightbulb moment for me was realizing that I didn’t have to wait until retirement to live my ideal life. I could start designing it while still practicing medicine.

Building passive income isn’t about leaving medicine behind, unless that’s what you truly want. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to keep practicing because you choose to—not because you have to.

That changed everything for me.

I still love medicine (even though I’m currently taking a break). But I also love being home for dinner with my kids. I love building businesses. And I love helping other physicians discover they can have a different kind of life, one that doesn’t revolve around RVUs and administrative red tape.

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So… Can You Really Do This?

Let me make it as clear as possible:

Yes. You can build passive income even if you’re a full-time surgeon.

You don’t need to know all the answers right now. You don’t have to dive in all at once. But you do need to start.

Start learning. Start connecting with people who’ve done what you want to do. Start carving out just 30 minutes a week to focus on building the life you actually want.

You’ve already come this far. You absolutely have what it takes to take the next step.

P.S. If you’re unsure where to begin, that’s exactly why I started Passive Income MD. We’ve got free resources, courses, and a whole community of physicians who are doing this together. Check out Passive Real Estate Academy, or reach out directly. I’d love to help however I can.

Were these helpful in any way? Make sure to sign up for the newsletter and join the Passive Income Docs Facebook Group for more physician-tailored content.

Peter Kim, MD is the founder of Passive Income MD, the creator of Passive Real Estate Academy, and offers weekly education through his Monday podcast, the Passive Income MD Podcast. Join our community at the Passive Income Doc Facebook Group.

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