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How do family physicians balance their personal and professional lives? We decided to ask the experts – you!
In an environment that continually asks physicians to know more, do more and be more, is it really possible to practice good medicine and still have something left at the end of the day to be a mother, father, wife, husband, partner, son, daughter or friend? Recently, we decided to give our time-management experts a break and take that question straight to the source: you. We asked family physicians to write to us with their own tips for maintaining life balance and for getting more satisfaction out of their busy lives. Here’s what they said:
1. Don’t try to be too efficient. Take time to really listen to a couple of patient stories a day. We need to be fed by our patients.
2. Take a few minutes at the end of the day to think about the things that really bugged you. Make a list of them, if you need to, and then leave it at the office.
3. Sometimes say, “This just isn’t going to get done today,” and work on accepting it.
4. Take regularly scheduled days off. Your patients and your staff will eventually expect you to be off and unavailable during that time and, since it’s been worked into your schedule, you won’t have to feel guilty for being out of the office.
5. Share with your patients your struggle to find balance in your life. It’s likely they’ll respond with uplifting words and concerned advice.
6. Ask your family what they need most from you. It may be something different than you think. (Ask your office staff too.)
7. Eat at least one meal a day with your family or with a friend.
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Objective: To create a social club for female physicians willing to share work/life balance experiences.
Goal: To create a platform for female physicians in an effort to:
1) Foster relationships with other female physicians
2) Provide an environment conducive for sharing personal resources, tips and ideas
3) Provide an environment conducive for sharing professional resources, tips and ideas
4) Be fun and a “night” out with peers
5) Giving Ideas and Support to IDNA(IMVU Doctors Association)