Many physicians struggle with work-life balance.
They feel trapped in their career, and this circumstance takes its toll through increased stress, higher levels of burnout, more medical errors, and sometimes a premature exit from practicing medicine.
More and more healthcare organizations realize that greater awareness on physician burnout and well-being is needed. On Oct. 3-5 the International Conference on Physician Health co-hosted by the AMA discussed physician health and its relationship to quality care and patient safety. The Balanced Physician programs approach it from the following perspective.
The traditional way to a physician’s life is to put medical career first. From what I have witnessed, most medical professionals believe that when they create a strong practice, they will automatically get what they want in life, such as the luxurious house, time to travel, a happy family, etc. This “when/then” mentality creates a situation where physicians constantly focus on their practice to make it more profitable. In many cases, they get so caught up that there is little room left for personal health and the quality of life they dreamed of.
If your medical career is your first priority, it will consume immense amounts of time – everything you give it – which is sometimes more than is needed. The end result will be an unbalanced life.
A better way to personal and career satisfaction is Life First. Unless your career IS your life, remind yourself that your career is an important part of your life and a vehicle to help you enjoy the life that you dream of. Therefore, I always recommend my clients get clear on what you want your life to be like and develop ways to build your career around that vision.
The Life First approach works! One example is a former clients, a gynecologist in a hectic private practice, who had little time for his family. He realized he was burning out and wasn’t living the life he wanted. He and his family decided to sell the large house with the large mortgage, then bought a smaller house that they paid off right away. They canceled club memberships and established a more family/outdoor activity-focused lifestyle. At work, he hired a PA and streamlined the practice. He says, “Life has never been better. This is exactly what I envisioned when I came out of med school.” He now enjoys a greater quality of life and a practice that fuels, rather than drains, his life.
Putting life first doesn’t mean making less money or giving up your dedication to your patients; instead, it means increasing efficiencies, cutting out energy drainers, and making time for the people and activities that matter to you.
Define the quality of life you want, then modify your career or practice to make that life possible. Consider what a balanced life would look and feel like around issues of time with self, family, friends and community. Write down what currently makes you happy and unhappy, as well as 100 activities or things that you want to experience. Discover what the people you admire in your field have done to achieve balance.
Yes, you can take control of your career! You may need to make changes like hiring different employees or increase training for your team. Streamlining your practice may mean finding ways to simplify its structure, creating a new model to work within, or merging with another practice.
Put Life First! Start now to increase the balance and quality of your life. When you do, not only will you be happier in your personal time, but you will also experience more freedom and success in your practice. Your patients and staff will enjoy this, too.
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