Work Life balance in Medical Work Life balance in Medical practicepractice

Vijay sardana MD , DM ( Neurology)

Professor & Head, Deptt. of Neurology,Chairman Medical Education Unit

Government Medical college kota

Doctor : FactsDoctor : Facts One of the every three dissatisfied due to lack of

time for themselves or their families

Average life 10 year less

Depression 4 times higher than general population

8.6% higher risk of emotional exhaustion, 10% higher risk of burnout

US- Physician suicide 3 time than general population

10% - Develop drug addiction

Job satisfaction among DoctorsJob satisfaction among Doctors

69.5% –satisfied (AIIMS)

Medical doctor in Armed Force – 40% Choudhary et al MIAFI 2004;60:329-32

Madan N. job satisfaction among doctor in a Tertiary Care Hospital jk science:2008,10(2)81-83

work life balance: Issueswork life balance: Issues

Managing burn out Time management Managing marriage and family When to retire?

Manage boredom & burnoutManage boredom & burnout

Stages of careerStages of career

Medical student

Resident

Doctor- professional work

Boredom by 40-50 years? What to do next

BurnoutBurnout

Work/ family/ community/ self work – more than 60% self _ less than 10%

Loss of Physical, Emotional & Mental Energy

Burnout : SymptomsBurnout : Symptoms

Behavioral – Angry/Depressed, poor concentration,

Chronically late or psychologically absent, work avoidance

Excessive drinking/Drugs

Tiredness, lethargy, sleep disorders

Burnout – Things to do Burnout – Things to do

Learn to take care of yourself – learn to rest - learn to Exercise Learn to say No

Have fulfilling life outside of clinic - develop your hobbies & activities

Learn to cut routine work

Develop strong support system

Exercise has life transforming benefits

Regular exercise: benefitsRegular exercise: benefits

Improves cardio vascular fitness Improves mood Reduces stress Loses fat, not lean muscle Decrease back & joint pain Decrease loss of bone density Decrease chol., HT, insulin sensitivity,

incidence & mortality from CAD, risk of colonic cancer

Ultradian performance rhythmUltradian performance rhythm

Time management scienceTime management science

Time as a CommodityTime as a Commodity

most precious thing we have

ultimately the most valuable resource

Time cannot be stored up for later use

Very Busy ?Very Busy ?

Just because you are busy does not mean that you are productive

Differentiate between

– Effectiveness -- doing the right things

– Efficiency -- doing the right things correctly

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Spent Time MatrixSpent Time Matrixstephen covey’s matrixstephen covey’s matrix

Q1

Q3

Q2

Q4

MANAGECrisisMedical emergenciesPressing problemsDeadline-driven projectsLast-minute exam preparations

FOCUSPreparation/planningPreventionValues clarificationExerciseRelationship-buildingTrue recreation/relaxation

AVOIDInterruptions, some callsSome mail & reportsSome meetingsMany “pressing” mattersMany popular activities

AVOIDJunk mailSome phone messageTime wastersViewing mindless TV shows

Urgent Not Urgent

Important

NotImportant

Quadrant 1Quadrant 1 Being in Quadrant 1 brings

– Stress

– Burnout

– Crises management

– Focus on the immediate

Quadrant 3Quadrant 3

Being in Quadrant 3 brings

– Short term focus

– Crises management

– Low value on goal

Characteristics of a Quadrant 2 PersonCharacteristics of a Quadrant 2 Person

--Coherence– Balance– Focus– An ability to get on with people – Flexibility – Portability

Time saving techniquesTime saving techniques

Control paperwork – action/ file / throw Delegate your job Learn to say no Analyze what we do

-need to do it?

- can someone else do it? - any quicker/ easier way to do

Physicians: problematic spouse?Physicians: problematic spouse?

MarriagesMarriages

Perfectionism, compulsiveness & workholism – good doctor but problematic spouse

Many married to Profession – no time to cultivate intimacy with spouse

Issues Threatening marriageIssues Threatening marriage

Money & Financial arguments Infidelity Boredom Career crisis Empty nest syndrome Retirement.

MarriagesMarriages

Spend time together Respect each other Have fun together Treat your spouse as your most

important VIP patient -- A loved spouse is also loving

spouse

Parenting and medicineParenting and medicine

Pressure of balancing family and work commitment enormous

Not spending enough time/ daily inattention over the years detrimental to parent child relationship

High expectations

children and medicinechildren and medicine

A meal together everyday Fun together once a week One holiday every year together Make sure children meet grand parents,

relatives periodically attend family functions/ marriages Help children honor family tradition,

Retirement : final career

Think of Retiring when you feel time is right

Preparing to RetirePreparing to Retire

What would you do if you didn’t have to work for living Where do you want to live How will you use your time so that you remain

productive & inspired Want to be close to children or away What role the family will play Arrangement for possible decline in health

RetirementRetirement

Don’t retire unless you have enough financial security Studies-Retirement has Predominantly positive impact

on emotional state – less demand of practice, more time for travel, pleasurable activities

25% depression 30% feel retirement years better 1st year difficult later integration / adjustment takes

place

RetirementRetirement

Keep alive what matters to youExplore you hobbiesExplore your spiritualityServe other selflessly-do charity

work/volunteer workPhysical activity/light exercise

Take HomeTake Home

Enjoy being a Doctor. Focus on sunny side of it Effective time management is key to work life

balance Work short of causing burnout and know when

to retire Evolve as a comprehensive human being with

physician incorporated

ThanksThanks