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How do doctors balance work and family? Is it recommendable to have a family when you're going to pursue a medical career?

I want to have a family but I'm worried I'll neglect my family because of my work. #doctor #medicine #hospital-and-health-care #healthcare

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Richard’s Answer

Having a family during medical school and residency is difficult because you have little or no control over your schedule.

Once in practice, it is definitely possible.

I am a radiologist with a spouse and children. I work about 50 hours per week. My hours vary as my group provides 24/7 service. Twice a year I work a week of night shift; and twice a year, I work a week of evening shifts from 4-11 pm. Some radiologists work in outpatient centers and can have more regular hours. I also get several weeks off per year and have an opportunity to travel with my family.
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Richard W’s Answer

Many doctors have regular set schedules just like any other industry, with weekends and holidays off. For example, working in clinics. Doctors can also chose to control the total number of hours they work, like Emergency Department doctors who work a set number of shifts per month, are not on-call for more shifts, and have no regular patients. An emerging field is Nocturnists, night time doctors (Hospitalists) who are responsible for a group of patients in a hospital while they are on duty, but they have no permanently assigned patients. Most of the doctors that I work with have balanced work lives and happy families. Because there are so many options in medicine, being a doctor does not preclude what you would consider a normal life.
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