7 answers
Angelina
Student
Lindale, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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How do you balance your work and home life, since school and residency takes up so much time Also, as a doctor, have you experienced burn out either in your work or in the school leading up to your career? If so, how do you cope with it??
I am in 12th grade, planning to attend Texas A&M and major in Biomedical Sciences and hope to continue to Medical School. I would really like to study emergency medicine
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7 answers
Audrey Eakman
MS-2, Biochemistry BS
37
Answers
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Updated
Audrey’s Answer
Hi Angelina
I feel a little qualified to answer your question as I'm currently in medical school and experiencing the intensity of a medical education.
The short answer to your question is we don't really have the kind of work-life balance you might be used to. The long answer is that medical education is a very difficult path, and being on that path means having to make certain sacrifices in your life because you know they're going to pay off later. In medical school and residency, you can't have a normal work-life balance for someone with a nine-to-five job when you're in the clinic or studying for eighty hours a week. That doesn't mean we have no life at all; it's just that certain things take priority. I might not have the social life that my non-medical peers do, but I have hobbies and friends, and I'm lucky enough to have an incredibly supportive family to help me.
Burnout is a real problem in medicine. The good news is that we know it's a problem, so a lot of schools and residency programs are working towards developing wellness programs and ensuring that they have mental health services so people can have the support they need. That being said, the institutional support on its own is never enough. The kind of chronic stress in medical school can have two outcomes - burnout or maladaptive behavior. To be successful in medical school, you have to develop resiliency and self-care strategies to prevent burnout and ensure you don't utilize a maladaptive coping mechanism (unfortunately, substance misuse is an ongoing problem in medicine for healthcare professionals). I suggest starting as early as you can if this is something you're serious about.
What those resiliency and self-care strategies look like can vary, of course. Some people go to the gym every day, some people do meditation, and some people journal. I took a wellness and mental health class as an undergrad that really helped me develop a wide breadth of coping techniques. The whole point of these self-care strategies is to elevate your baseline of mental health so that when stressful things happen, you have the flexibility and coping strategies to deal with the stress. The way I like to think of it is that medical school and residency are a marathon of stress, not a sprint, so you need to practice developing endurance. I need to have some kind of hobby I do outside of medicine so that when medicine is stressful, there's something else I can do to feel accomplished. I also need to have people in my life who can support me and help me when I'm struggling, whether it's to buy me groceries, help me with chores, or someone to talk to when I need to vent about life. Some people have different strategies to manage their stress, and that works for them. For some people, managing this stress is something they need professional advice or legally prescribed medication to deal with, and that's also perfectly valid. If you find yourself already to be an anxious person, maybe seeing a counselor or therapist might help you now since their whole job is giving you the tools to deal with anxiety and stress so you can handle it later.
I hope that what I have to say doesn't make it sound like medical school is awful. It is stressful, but I have also found it to be such an incredibly rewarding experience. I love medicine, and I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. I'm so proud of myself for what I've accomplished and excited for what I'll get to do in the future. Just make sure that this is the path that you want and that you have the tools and strategies you need to be successful, and I'm sure you'll be fine.
Best of Luck!
I feel a little qualified to answer your question as I'm currently in medical school and experiencing the intensity of a medical education.
The short answer to your question is we don't really have the kind of work-life balance you might be used to. The long answer is that medical education is a very difficult path, and being on that path means having to make certain sacrifices in your life because you know they're going to pay off later. In medical school and residency, you can't have a normal work-life balance for someone with a nine-to-five job when you're in the clinic or studying for eighty hours a week. That doesn't mean we have no life at all; it's just that certain things take priority. I might not have the social life that my non-medical peers do, but I have hobbies and friends, and I'm lucky enough to have an incredibly supportive family to help me.
Burnout is a real problem in medicine. The good news is that we know it's a problem, so a lot of schools and residency programs are working towards developing wellness programs and ensuring that they have mental health services so people can have the support they need. That being said, the institutional support on its own is never enough. The kind of chronic stress in medical school can have two outcomes - burnout or maladaptive behavior. To be successful in medical school, you have to develop resiliency and self-care strategies to prevent burnout and ensure you don't utilize a maladaptive coping mechanism (unfortunately, substance misuse is an ongoing problem in medicine for healthcare professionals). I suggest starting as early as you can if this is something you're serious about.
What those resiliency and self-care strategies look like can vary, of course. Some people go to the gym every day, some people do meditation, and some people journal. I took a wellness and mental health class as an undergrad that really helped me develop a wide breadth of coping techniques. The whole point of these self-care strategies is to elevate your baseline of mental health so that when stressful things happen, you have the flexibility and coping strategies to deal with the stress. The way I like to think of it is that medical school and residency are a marathon of stress, not a sprint, so you need to practice developing endurance. I need to have some kind of hobby I do outside of medicine so that when medicine is stressful, there's something else I can do to feel accomplished. I also need to have people in my life who can support me and help me when I'm struggling, whether it's to buy me groceries, help me with chores, or someone to talk to when I need to vent about life. Some people have different strategies to manage their stress, and that works for them. For some people, managing this stress is something they need professional advice or legally prescribed medication to deal with, and that's also perfectly valid. If you find yourself already to be an anxious person, maybe seeing a counselor or therapist might help you now since their whole job is giving you the tools to deal with anxiety and stress so you can handle it later.
I hope that what I have to say doesn't make it sound like medical school is awful. It is stressful, but I have also found it to be such an incredibly rewarding experience. I love medicine, and I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. I'm so proud of myself for what I've accomplished and excited for what I'll get to do in the future. Just make sure that this is the path that you want and that you have the tools and strategies you need to be successful, and I'm sure you'll be fine.
Best of Luck!
Michel Bouman
Sr. Solution Specialist Lead for Teams Devices
7
Answers
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Updated
Michel’s Answer
Balancing work and home life during medical school and residency can indeed be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Here are some strategies that might help:
Prioritize: Understanding what aspects of life mean most to you is the best place to start. This could be anything from athletics to hobbies like meditation, yoga, or journaling.
Establish a Routine: Having a fixed start and stop time for your work can help create a boundary between your professional and personal life.
Self-Care: Make sure to carve out “me time” during the day when you can unwind and relax.
Support Systems: It’s important to have a support system in place, whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues. Sometimes it's not about work-life balance, but moreso about work-life harmony. Communication with those around you is key.
Mindset & Mindfulness: Developing a mental on-off switch between work and home can help you transition between the two realms.
You got this!
Prioritize: Understanding what aspects of life mean most to you is the best place to start. This could be anything from athletics to hobbies like meditation, yoga, or journaling.
Establish a Routine: Having a fixed start and stop time for your work can help create a boundary between your professional and personal life.
Self-Care: Make sure to carve out “me time” during the day when you can unwind and relax.
Support Systems: It’s important to have a support system in place, whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues. Sometimes it's not about work-life balance, but moreso about work-life harmony. Communication with those around you is key.
Mindset & Mindfulness: Developing a mental on-off switch between work and home can help you transition between the two realms.
You got this!
Shelia Bereszniewicz
Seller enblement
92
Answers
Woodstock, Georgia
Updated
Shelia’s Answer
I really like Audrey's answer to your question. She is giving you first hand experience. My daughter earned her degree in biomedical sciences and a master in Bio-Chemistry. She was able to participate in a sorority and took leadership roles while maintaining high grades. For her, studying was a priority with time for personal connections to prevent burn-out.
Once accepted into medical school, you'll spend two years of learning everything there is to know about the human body and how to diagnose patients (actors). Next, you spend the next 2 years on clinical rotations. You'll have to pass Step 1 to start third year and pass Step 2 for your fourth year. Passing the medical boards is key to kick-start your residency.
You will be amazed on the connections you will make in medical school. The relationships may daughter has made helps her to balance all the hard work with personal connections. You will learn when to push the studying and when you need to step away and take that much needed break.
Best of luck at Texas A&M!
Once accepted into medical school, you'll spend two years of learning everything there is to know about the human body and how to diagnose patients (actors). Next, you spend the next 2 years on clinical rotations. You'll have to pass Step 1 to start third year and pass Step 2 for your fourth year. Passing the medical boards is key to kick-start your residency.
You will be amazed on the connections you will make in medical school. The relationships may daughter has made helps her to balance all the hard work with personal connections. You will learn when to push the studying and when you need to step away and take that much needed break.
Best of luck at Texas A&M!
S A
Program Manager
1
Answer
Redmond, Washington
Updated
S’s Answer
Embrace this uplifting motto: "Focus" solely on the task at hand, "Smile" even when the going gets tough, and discover the "peace" that comes from managing multiple responsibilities.
Remember to practice these simple principles:
(1) Refrain from taking things personally or emotionally. Often, we feel overwhelmed when we let unnecessary thoughts clutter our minds (like worrying about others' opinions). Maintain a clear mind, heart, and spirit - this clarity can be achieved with a simple "smile".
(2) When life's challenges start to weigh you down, engage in your favorite hobbies to lift your spirits. This will help to regain your "focus" on the key tasks you need to accomplish.
(3) Cultivate resilience. If you stumble upon a mistake that triggers a negative response in you or others, bounce back like a ball - don't sink like mud. By regaining your focus and smiling through the struggle, you'll find that no matter how many tasks you're juggling, you'll experience a profound sense of "peace".
Remember to practice these simple principles:
(1) Refrain from taking things personally or emotionally. Often, we feel overwhelmed when we let unnecessary thoughts clutter our minds (like worrying about others' opinions). Maintain a clear mind, heart, and spirit - this clarity can be achieved with a simple "smile".
(2) When life's challenges start to weigh you down, engage in your favorite hobbies to lift your spirits. This will help to regain your "focus" on the key tasks you need to accomplish.
(3) Cultivate resilience. If you stumble upon a mistake that triggers a negative response in you or others, bounce back like a ball - don't sink like mud. By regaining your focus and smiling through the struggle, you'll find that no matter how many tasks you're juggling, you'll experience a profound sense of "peace".
Aalekh kumar
production supervisior
1
Answer
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Updated
Aalekh’s Answer
Juet doo everything with interest. you have to prepare a time schedule and prepare everything today for tomorrow. soo if you able too manage time then you able to manage evrything not just family, work also passion, profession , hobbies and other things you want too doo
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Angelina!
Juggling your professional and personal life can be quite a task, especially when you're in a high-pressure field like medicine. The road to becoming a doctor is paved with years of education, training, and residency, all of which can take up a lot of your time and energy. But it's super important to strike a healthy balance between work and life to avoid getting too stressed and to keep your well-being in check.
Here are some handy tips to help you maintain that balance:
1. Prioritize and set boundaries: It's really important to figure out what tasks and responsibilities are most important at work and at home. Creating a clear divide between your professional and personal life can help you feel more balanced. This could mean setting specific work hours, not bringing work home, and setting aside quality time for yourself and your relationships.
2. Time management: Good time management is the secret to a healthy work-life balance. Planning and organizing your schedule can help ensure that you have enough time for work, personal commitments, self-care, and fun activities. Tools like calendars, planners, or productivity apps can be super helpful in managing your time effectively.
3. Delegate and seek support: Remember, you can't do everything by yourself. Learn to share tasks at work and at home when you can. This could mean asking colleagues for help or hiring someone to help with household chores or childcare. Also, don't forget to lean on your friends, family, or professional networks for emotional support during tough times.
4. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is key to avoiding burnout. Make sure to do activities that boost your physical and mental well-being. This could include regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness or meditation, pursuing hobbies outside of work, and spending quality time with your loved ones.
5. Foster open communication: Good communication is really important in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Talking about your needs and worries with your colleagues, bosses, and family can help them understand your situation and offer the support you need. Also, being honest about your limitations and asking for accommodations when needed can help you live a more balanced life.
Burnout is a common issue for many people in high-stress jobs, including doctors. The intense nature of medical education, long work hours, emotional stress, and the responsibility of patient care can lead to burnout. Burnout can make you feel emotionally drained, detached, and less accomplished.
Here are some proactive steps to deal with burnout:
1. Seek support: Connect with colleagues, mentors, or support groups who can offer guidance and understanding. Sharing your experiences and feelings with others who have been in your shoes can be really helpful.
2. Practice self-care: Make self-care activities that boost your physical and mental well-being a priority. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, enough sleep, and activities that make you happy and relaxed can help ease burnout symptoms.
3. Set boundaries: Make clear boundaries between work and personal life to keep work from taking over your personal time. Learn to say no when you need to and avoid taking on too much.
4. Take breaks: Give yourself regular breaks during the workday to refresh and recharge. This could mean taking short walks, doing deep breathing exercises, or practicing mindfulness techniques.
5. Reflect on values and goals: Reconnecting with your values and goals can help reignite your passion for your work. Remind yourself of why you chose this career and focus on the positive impact you can make as a doctor.
Remember, it's okay to seek professional help from therapists or counselors who specialize in burnout management if you're feeling really overwhelmed.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
1. Mayo Clinic - www.mayoclinic.org
2. American Medical Association - www.ama-assn.org
3. Harvard Business Review - hbr.org
Juggling your professional and personal life can be quite a task, especially when you're in a high-pressure field like medicine. The road to becoming a doctor is paved with years of education, training, and residency, all of which can take up a lot of your time and energy. But it's super important to strike a healthy balance between work and life to avoid getting too stressed and to keep your well-being in check.
Here are some handy tips to help you maintain that balance:
1. Prioritize and set boundaries: It's really important to figure out what tasks and responsibilities are most important at work and at home. Creating a clear divide between your professional and personal life can help you feel more balanced. This could mean setting specific work hours, not bringing work home, and setting aside quality time for yourself and your relationships.
2. Time management: Good time management is the secret to a healthy work-life balance. Planning and organizing your schedule can help ensure that you have enough time for work, personal commitments, self-care, and fun activities. Tools like calendars, planners, or productivity apps can be super helpful in managing your time effectively.
3. Delegate and seek support: Remember, you can't do everything by yourself. Learn to share tasks at work and at home when you can. This could mean asking colleagues for help or hiring someone to help with household chores or childcare. Also, don't forget to lean on your friends, family, or professional networks for emotional support during tough times.
4. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is key to avoiding burnout. Make sure to do activities that boost your physical and mental well-being. This could include regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness or meditation, pursuing hobbies outside of work, and spending quality time with your loved ones.
5. Foster open communication: Good communication is really important in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Talking about your needs and worries with your colleagues, bosses, and family can help them understand your situation and offer the support you need. Also, being honest about your limitations and asking for accommodations when needed can help you live a more balanced life.
Burnout is a common issue for many people in high-stress jobs, including doctors. The intense nature of medical education, long work hours, emotional stress, and the responsibility of patient care can lead to burnout. Burnout can make you feel emotionally drained, detached, and less accomplished.
Here are some proactive steps to deal with burnout:
1. Seek support: Connect with colleagues, mentors, or support groups who can offer guidance and understanding. Sharing your experiences and feelings with others who have been in your shoes can be really helpful.
2. Practice self-care: Make self-care activities that boost your physical and mental well-being a priority. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, enough sleep, and activities that make you happy and relaxed can help ease burnout symptoms.
3. Set boundaries: Make clear boundaries between work and personal life to keep work from taking over your personal time. Learn to say no when you need to and avoid taking on too much.
4. Take breaks: Give yourself regular breaks during the workday to refresh and recharge. This could mean taking short walks, doing deep breathing exercises, or practicing mindfulness techniques.
5. Reflect on values and goals: Reconnecting with your values and goals can help reignite your passion for your work. Remind yourself of why you chose this career and focus on the positive impact you can make as a doctor.
Remember, it's okay to seek professional help from therapists or counselors who specialize in burnout management if you're feeling really overwhelmed.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
1. Mayo Clinic - www.mayoclinic.org
2. American Medical Association - www.ama-assn.org
3. Harvard Business Review - hbr.org
Madison Buchman
doctor
112
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Great question! Many physicians and healthcare workers experience burnout and all for different reasons. Many people also have outside life stressors and you have to acknowledge within your self checking on how you are feeling and performing in life and at work and if you feel there are areas where you need to make changes/sacrifices. Talking to coworkers, friends, family, and therapists as well as mentors can be very helpful! Finding joy in your career while acknowledging the difficulty of the hours is also helpful and setting reasonable boundaries for your work hour limits and what you do with your time off intentionally. Also setting aside time for self care and considering what self care is most helpful to you!