2 answers
Guransh
Student
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
1
Question
Updated
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How do you maintain work/life balance as a cardiac surgeon?
I am asking this question for my school project. please give me the right detail.
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2 answers
Rita Chuang
Physician
206
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I'm not a cardiovascular surgeon but being a physician, I know this is hard. What do you do when a patient asks to be "squeezed in" to see you when your schedule is already full? I will relate this one story. I had a young patient who just gave birth and then ended up having a heart attack. Doctors take call and take turn taking care of patients that come to the ER. The cardiovascular surgeon who was on call did not feel comfortable operating on this patient. I don't think anyone else from the group felt comfortable except one doctor. One of his colleagues ended up seeing the patient and cancelling his vacation to Hawaii to operate on her.
Hi Rita! Thank you for sharing your experience! Do you have any things that you do to maintain work/life balance you can share with Guransh?
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Brett Schlifstein
Anesthesiologist
27
Answers
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Hi Guransh,
I'm an anesthesiologist - we have an advantage when it comes to work/life balance. Generally speaking, when we go home for the day, we are done and can disconnect from work. When I have time off, I don't have any work responsibilities. Still, it can be stressful, and work/life balance is one of the keys to happiness, and when I am working, makes me a better physician.
For surgeons, and particularly cardiac surgeons, it can be quite different. They are responsibile for their patient 24/7/365. So in order to have that work/life balance, it is very important that they have colleagues and/or partners that they know and trust to take care of their patients when they have time off. It's also important to have a fair schedule so surgeons that are covering for each other don't feel like they are being abused.
A surgical practice requires a lot of administrive work. There is an office to run, employees to supervise, hiring/firing, as well as billing and collections. To take on all these responsibilities in addition to clinical responsibilities generally results in an overwhelmed and completely stressed physician. A good practice manager/administrator is invaluable. Physicians can be control freaks - but it is important to delegate tasks.
When they do have that time off, it's important to have quality time with family and friends. Exercise is important for physical as well as mental well being. And of course it is important to get enough sleep, as often that is not the case while working. There can be the temptation to use alcohol to decompress, so it's important to use only in moderation.
Hope that helps,
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
I'm an anesthesiologist - we have an advantage when it comes to work/life balance. Generally speaking, when we go home for the day, we are done and can disconnect from work. When I have time off, I don't have any work responsibilities. Still, it can be stressful, and work/life balance is one of the keys to happiness, and when I am working, makes me a better physician.
For surgeons, and particularly cardiac surgeons, it can be quite different. They are responsibile for their patient 24/7/365. So in order to have that work/life balance, it is very important that they have colleagues and/or partners that they know and trust to take care of their patients when they have time off. It's also important to have a fair schedule so surgeons that are covering for each other don't feel like they are being abused.
A surgical practice requires a lot of administrive work. There is an office to run, employees to supervise, hiring/firing, as well as billing and collections. To take on all these responsibilities in addition to clinical responsibilities generally results in an overwhelmed and completely stressed physician. A good practice manager/administrator is invaluable. Physicians can be control freaks - but it is important to delegate tasks.
When they do have that time off, it's important to have quality time with family and friends. Exercise is important for physical as well as mental well being. And of course it is important to get enough sleep, as often that is not the case while working. There can be the temptation to use alcohol to decompress, so it's important to use only in moderation.
Hope that helps,
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital