Advice for Physicians: 7 Tips for Work-Life Balance

Physicians spend a great deal of time helping their patients to lead healthy lives, often at the cost of their own health. With stress-related to running a practice, working at a fast-paced hospital, and not finding time to unwind, physicians and surgeons have become prime targets for burnout. In fact, according to a survey by Physician’s Practice, almost 70 percent of physicians believe that they don’t have as much personal time as they need.

In both professional and personal aspects, the race of life is a marathon and not a sprint. Setting a wise pace, learning to breathe well, and resting when necessary all work together to create a sustainable way to run the race well. In the same way, taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental needs works to keep your body and mind in shape, giving you the endurance to perform at your most effective and productive capacity. When you have a work-life balance, you not only benefit but your patients and co-workers benefit as well.

1. Take Breaks

While residents are taught to survive with the most unhealthy work-life habits on the planet, once you’ve finished your residency it’s time to get back to a normal balanced lifestyle. Fatigued surgeons have more of a tendency to make mistakes. Take the advice you would give to your patients and get an appropriate amount of rest at night to meet your body’s needs. In the middle of a busy surgery day, schedule breaks so that your body and mind are in tip-top shape for the next patient.

2. Outsource Tasks You Don’t Enjoy

From an at-home standpoint, lawn-mowing, housekeeping, laundry, or pool cleaning can all be hired out to services. And if you have trouble managing all of the services, you can probably hire someone to do that as well. On the professional side, consider ways you might be able to delegate some of your less critical tasks to someone else on your staff.

3. Collaborate

Get input from staff or practice partners about ways to create a more effective working environment and improve productivity. This will help to stimulate your professional side, at the same time making more time for your personal side.

4. Plan Healthy Activities

Go for a run. Take a yoga class. Play in a soccer league. Join a gym. Even if it means just squeezing in a ten-minute walk during your lunchtime, do it. Physicians often don’t follow the advice they give their patients when it comes to exercise. If you don’t plan it out ahead of time, it probably won’t happen, so write it into your calendar and then follow through. Both your body and your mind will be much able to cope with balancing out the stress of your job.

5. Do Things You Enjoy

Whether it’s an art class or a book club, get involved in something that has nothing to do with medicine or surgery. This will help remind you that there is a whole world of creativity out there, filled with enjoyable activities and pleasant people. If you aren’t sure what you enjoy, try out a new hobby by taking a class at a community center.

6. Get Connected

If your practice is stressful and you need support, don’t be afraid to get it. Support groups for physicians may offer some emotional health simply by allowing you a place to talk about your struggles with others who understand. Groups exist in most major cities and if your city doesn’t have one, consider starting one.

Read More: 4 Factors Physicians Should Consider When Choosing an Outpatient Surgery Center

7. Remember Why You Do What You Do

Each day, as you start and end your day, keep in the forefront of your mind the number of patients you have helped. Allowing yourself just a moment to ponder the bigger picture lets you overlook some of the frustrating aspects of your work.

BALANCING WORK AND LIFE TOGETHER
Working through an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) can offer balance to your life that you never thought you could have as a surgeon or physician. With convenient advantages such as scheduling in blocks, support staff on-site, and easily accessible locations, outpatient surgery centers may provide the key to balancing out your work and personal life well. For a tour of our Orlando surgery center, contact Advanced Ambulatory Surgery Center to schedule.