4 answers
4 answers
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Specialty and personal preference are the main factors that influence the balance. If this is important to you, choose your specialty with this in mind. Good luck!
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Choosing a residency is difficult. Some specialties will be all-consuming. Typical student starts residency in the mid - late 20's so these can be difficult times for people marrying and starting a family. If work life balance is important, think twice before choosing the more demanding specialties!
After residency, you can choose a job or location that suits your personality. I get recruiting advertisements boasting jobs with 26 weeks of vacation per year, daily hours of 8-5 with no call. Others are more demanding with 1 in 4 night-call, weekend responsibilities
After residency, you can choose a job or location that suits your personality. I get recruiting advertisements boasting jobs with 26 weeks of vacation per year, daily hours of 8-5 with no call. Others are more demanding with 1 in 4 night-call, weekend responsibilities
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
I can comment on how work/life balance changes by region. I used to work in a large city for a group that covered 13 hospitals. In my fellowship, we spent weekends on call driving from one hospital to another all day. One weekend I drove 400 miles in 72 hours. This call schedule was difficult for me and my family. Even when I wasn't on call, I was still driving an hour to work. We ultimately moved to a smaller town where I could only cover call at one facility close to home.
Updated
Vasiliki’s Answer
Hello Johnathon,
I did my specialty in dentistry at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The campus is like Columbus, OH, so the pace of life (apart from the studies) is a little bit slower, than being in a big city, like NYC or Boston, for example. Definitely, less distractions that help anyone to focus on their studies.
For sure I can see a difference working in Portland, ME and Boston, MA, based on my experience. A bigger city is always more competitive and more stressful. I guess it depends at what stage in your life you are and what pace you prefer.
I hope it helps! Good luck!
Best,
Vasiliki Maseli
I did my specialty in dentistry at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The campus is like Columbus, OH, so the pace of life (apart from the studies) is a little bit slower, than being in a big city, like NYC or Boston, for example. Definitely, less distractions that help anyone to focus on their studies.
For sure I can see a difference working in Portland, ME and Boston, MA, based on my experience. A bigger city is always more competitive and more stressful. I guess it depends at what stage in your life you are and what pace you prefer.
I hope it helps! Good luck!
Best,
Vasiliki Maseli