How To Manage Your Lifestyle As A Doctor

Dr. Pritam Pankaj

It was about 15 years ago when I chose Dermatology as my specialty. I rejected glorified world of hernia, hemorrhoids, diarrhea and vomit for the glamour of Psoriasis, Acne and Herpes. Jokes apart, it was a lifestyle choice for me. Dermatologists can sleep through the night. Nocturnal Cellulitis medical emergencies are uncommon. As a dermatologist, one can have a comparatively softer lifestyle of a doctor. At least this was my assumptions when I made my choice.

Neverthless, I ended up having almost same level of hardwork and busy schedule as seen of other specialities (except of medical emergencies). Every medical specialty has its own positive and not so positive part.

Most of the medical students don’t consider the repercussions of chosing a specialty while making their career choice, and they should. Doctors today are increasingly employed by institutions, work shifts and delegate the hassles of hospital life to hospitalists. To emphasize, there is no right or wrong choice. One should chose a specialty which suits his temperament and interest. While doing so, he should also do his homework well. Talking to seniors/doctors from different speciality helps setting the expectations right and be prepared for it. Irrrespective to all the homework one does and advice that he gets, there is still a lot of unpredictability as Forrest Gump said – “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get”. Just like any other human being every doctor has to face his own unique challenges in life. But an informed educated guess is far more reliable than a pure gamble.

Even after you start your clinical practice, it becomes very very important to manage your personal and professional life well. Striking the right balance is more of an art than a science. Getting called to the hospital during off hours is part of a doctors’ life. These are some common findings to which any doctor can relate to –

Doctors don’t take much time off, they are overworked
Even when they are on vacation, they are mostly attending calls due to ubiquitous tech revolution ( read mobile phones).
A major part of their vacation is lost thinking of the coming tide after the vacation ends
Doctors spend more time in their clinic, hospitals and office as compared to time with family.
Even ater spending so much time/effort for patient, most doctors feel that they could have done a little more for their patient. A part and parcel of medicine being a noble profession.
Leisure, relaxation, avocations and personal time for reflection are not evil pursuits. They are the fuel that cultivates and sustains our humanity. Who wouldn’t welcome a little more humanity in the medical profession? In its absence you burnout and lose your edge.

These are my two cents for improving your lifestyle as a doctor –

Set a time aside for your personal life, time with family and leisure and religiously follow it until there is an emergency.
If you are in private practice, keep a budget aside for the support staff at your clinic. Having a good staff at your clinic takes off a lot of burden from you and you can focus on your core competence. In medium and long term you are better off … both mentally and financially
Have more discussions with your family and life partner so that they are fully aware of the demands of the profession. If they are aware they will adapt
Take care of your own health. As a doctor, we often forget that sometimes we have to sit on other side of table. Even a regular walk regime is helpful.
Love your profession and have a healthy cordial and yet professional relationship with your patients. You spend more time with them than with your family.
If you liked reading this article, please share your experience and advice about how you manage your lifestyle.