Work Life Balance For Female Medical Professionals

Do you think it’s an unrealistic goal to expect physicians who
are women to achieve a perfect balance of professional and home
life?

It is not unrealistic if you ask for help.  

Or do you think it’s a reasonable goal but one that requires
careful thought and planning?

Having a work-life balance is realistic if you have the help you need.  We cannot receive help if we don’t ask for it.  We have to get out of the mindset that we need to do everything.  There are capable people in our lives who can help us.  We just need to ask.  

How do you personally approach the issue?

Personally, I reach out to my family, my significant other and sometimes I do outsource some things. We have to sacrifice some things in our lives and I hope that it is not the people we love.  I’ll rather be in a messy house that is full of love and laughter than a very clean one that is full of stress. 

If you have families, how do you balance the demands of family
life with professional life?

We have to know our priorities.  Hopefully, we prioritize ourselves, then our significant other and then our children and friends, then work etc.  I keep in mind that I am NOT the most important person at work even if I am the clinician. The place will not fall apart if I take off to take care of myself or my family.  But to my family, kids or loved ones, I am important.  If I don’t take care of myself then I can’t be there for those who love me.  It comes down to priorities. 

Also, do you feel that this question tends to be posed to women
more often than men, and if so, how do you feel about that?
Yes.  Because society expected women to do it all.  We live in a culture of competition instead of helping each other. As women, we need to stop judging other women and taking each other down but instead see ourselves in other women and realize that all of us need help. So let’s help each other.