A healthy work life balance for doctors isn’t always easy, but knowing when to take time out and avoid burnout still applies even in the medical field.
Australia’s community of medical professionals provide all levels of care for their patients, but do they provide the same for themselves? While it’s often assumed that working as a doctor required unusual working hours and conditions, it’s easy to forget that the ongoing events of the COVID-19 pandemic affect medical professionals working around the clock on the front lines too.
So much so, that the RACGP’s Annual “General Practice: Health Of The Nation: 2020” found that one in two GP’s in Australia reported at least one negative impact to their personal wellbeing during the pandemic. The most commonly reported impact was linked to work life balance at 33%, although more than one in four also reported a deterioration in their own mental health.
Of course, how can our front line workers in the medical field provide the very best care if they’re not at their best themselves? Work life balance for doctors is never an easy tightrope to walk, but perhaps now more than ever, it’s important that they at least try.
Five Tips For Work Life Balance For Doctors
Although every field and sector has members that may struggle with achieving work life balance, those working in the medical community are faced with extra contributing factors such as shift work, high pressure environments, trauma and exposure to potentially infectious diseases.
When work life balance for doctors is discussed, it’s often implied that “life is good, and work is bad”. For many doctors, and in fact people, this connotation isn’t quite true. As we collectively spend a great chunk of our lives at work, it can be good providing that we approach this part of our existence with some balance, and ensure that we don’t forget about the other components such as relationships, exercise, hobbies and goals outside of the workplace.
However, if you find yourself unable to ‘clock off’ or that work is not paying the rent to match the amount of headspace that it’s taking up, then it’s time to evaluate your day to day habits in an effort to achieve that elusive balance.
Work With Purpose – If you’re overtired, burnt out or even depressed, it can be easy to forget as to why you got into medicine in the first place. To ensure you keep your passion and purpose alive, don’t be afraid to be selective with your workplace to ensure it lines up with your values and allows you to find meaning in the day to day stuff.
Time Is A Currency – Balancing work and life roles requires good time management skills. Effective time management involves setting both long- and short-term goals, planning and organising, and refraining from engaging in time-wasting activities. Don’t forget that time is the most valuable of all currencies, and one that you can’t get back.
Check Your Priorities – While you no doubt have a medley of responsibilities that command your attention, be sure that they’re in the right order of priority. If you have a young family at home that you would like to see more of, then make it happen. After all, working less hours has been proven as a surefire way to reduce the risk of workplace burnout.
Learn To Say No – During life transitions, such as the completion of training, marriage, childbirth, and the death of family members, taking time to reassess and reset both work and life goals can be helpful in creating balance. Values change, and what you have always said ‘yes’ to may no longer serve you as well as it once did.
Chase Flexibility – In 2021, your career options as a GP or a doctor in Australia are much more varied than what they once were. Forget about the 9-5 grind if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle, and instead consider your options like telehealth or locum work if you wish to chase greater flexibility, and be in charge of your own schedule.
Pursuing Balance With House Call Doctor
Whether you’re looking to travel, increase your earning potential, gain experience, or even just a desire for greater job satisfaction, doctor jobs in Queensland with House Call Doctor could be the answer that you’ve been looking for.
Are you –
- An Australian or Internationally Trained Medical Graduate
- Have full registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- Have two years post graduate experience, including experience in paediatrics, accident and emergency, general medicine and surgery
If you can answer yes to all of the above, then why not consider registering your interest for doctor jobs with House Call Doctor today, and be a part of the medical revolution.
