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Physician work–life balance has gained significant attention in the last few years as the rates of burnout among physicians have increased. Burnout is defined as a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by one's professional life.[1] It leads to exhaustion, cynicism, and adversely affected work productivity, patient outcomes, and interpersonal relationships. Although work–life balance applies to all professions, physicians find it especially hard to achieve, with almost half of U.S. surgeons being unsatisfied with their work–life dynamic.[2]
The decision to pursue medicine as a career comes with an inherent understanding that patients will always be a priority. The work–life imbalance begins during residency, where 60% of residents and fellows report experiencing significant work stress.[2] Eventually, very few learn to cope and only one out of every five neurosurgeons can achieve a good work–life balance. Women physicians have higher rates of attrition as compared with men. This article aims to highlight the issue, increase self-awareness, and provide strategies to cope and have a better work–life relationship ([Table 1]).
Table 1 Strategies for establishing a work–life balance for early career neurosurgeonsAspect
Strategy
Identify the barriers
• Integrate the four domains of life: work, home, community, self
• Assess your time distribution and areas where too much time is being devoted
Time management
• Make a framework and be prepared to trade off some aspects
• Make room for yourself outside of neurosurgery
• Always ask yourself the reason for taking on new work and the risk–reward involved
• Stop overloading and learn to say “no”
• Have some hours of mental peace
• Microvacations during the day
Organization/arrangements
• Devoted research time
• Personal crisis should always take precedence
• Use your holidays and nonoperative days wisely
• Set work hours for each day
Relationships
• Success starts with strong, stable friendships
• Understand your spouses need and be accommodative
• Children give unbridled joy and a sense of belonging
• Keep your home life sane even when work is stressful
Self
• Weave self-care into your work schedule
• Differentiate between working long hours and workaholic behavior
• Keep your work thoughts compartmentalized
• Exercise and other forms of mental engagement are imperative
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”—Dolly Parton, singer
Publication HistoryArticle published online:
22 May 2023
© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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