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How do you find good work-life balance during residency?
(for medical residency)
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Parin’s Answer
This is a great question and an important part of life to think about when choosing a medical career. The answer varies based on a person's specialty, when they trained (as there have been duty hour limits in the last 10 years), and where they trained. I'm an OB/GYN, which means I work in a surgical field that is working 24/7. Babies can be born at any time, even on holidays, and there are some GYN emergencies that need quick attention and sometimes surgery, no matter what time it is. However, I believe balance is personal. During my residency, I worked 70-80 hours a week but felt I had a good balance while still learning and growing as a doctor. Some weeks were tougher than others, and I was definitely tired after four years, but I enjoyed my training and have good memories of it. I wouldn't suggest going into medicine just for work-life balance, but it's something to think about based on your short-term and long-term goals. Life after residency isn't super easy either. Most doctors agree they still work hard, often more than 50 hours a week full time, and there are various career demands after training, depending on the specialty and practice type. Hope this helps!