Physicians Practice - February 2008 - (Page 32)

IN BALANCE career choice as their own; that may or may not happen. Weadon did not; instead, he became a meteorologist. “I think [my father] would’ve been very proud if I had [gone into medicine],” says Weadon. “But he never expected me to.” A FRAGILE BALANCE Hopefully, your family is doing its part to accept your occupation with all its hazards. You must also return the favor, however, as best you can. Don’t succumb to the temptation of letting work rule your life unnecessarily. Speciﬁcally: Keep work at work. Who hasn’t come home in a foul mood at times because of something annoying happening at work? A key employee unexpectedly quits. A higher-up habitually interrupts and wags her ﬁnger insultingly in your face while lecturing. And let’s not forget the public (who doesn’t feel good, in your case, making them even crabbier) and all the bad manners it can dish out. Even the more dire issues, such as ﬁghting to collect from payers, the threat of malpractice suits, the inevitable medical error — all weigh you down understandably. It’s all important, no argument there, but your kids can only love you, so be lovable. To them you’re Mommy or Daddy, not Doctor. When your foot crosses the threshold, assume the role of parent. “Try to compartmentalize it,” says Weadon. “There’s work and there’s home. Even though emergencies can dictate, there are things you can control. Try to leave work and be a [parent] to the extent that you can.” Not that you can’t capitalize on “teachable moments” that relate to your job. Weadon was well-apprised while growing up of the heinous nature of head injuries caused by motorcycle crashes. “A surgeon in my dad’s profession was called in at all hours, often in the middle of the night,” he says. This made a big impression on Weadon. But when your tweener daughter meets you at the door, bubbling over with important news — Sarah told Billy that Shannon heard Adrian tell Carla that Derek likes her! — give her your full attention (even if you can’t follow the sentence). Resist sneaking peeks at your cell phone or uttering automatic “uh-huhs.” Nobody’s denying you have a uniquely important position in society. But your 6-year-old will think you’re a superhero if you challenge him to a third game of Sorry! to settle once and for all who is the supreme champion of the evening. Conﬁde in your spouse. This may sound dachshunds, while you open your stress vent to relieve the pressure, works better for you? Great. Any (legal and safe) method is ﬁne. Just make sure you share your ups and downs with your spouse. Don’t think you don’t need this, that “strong and silent” is better for your family. Make adjustments when needed. Someday, you may have to make changes in the way you work for the good of your family. For example, when Elaine Hale was diagnosed with serious kidney disease halfway through rearing the kids in Orlando, her physician-husband closed his practice and took a job with the county. “He found something that allowed him to be more connected to home,” says Elaine Hale, for which she has always been grateful. “We’ve both given and taken over the years.” Susan Gertler made some changes for the sake of family life, too. Sick of missing so many of the kids’ activities, she now splits her time between the emergency room and supervising the day-medicine program at the hospital. THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE CHECKLIST Certainly you’re dedicated to helping people stay healthy. But what about you? Do you take good care of yourself? This can make you more (or less) great to be around, both on and off the job. Here are 10 questions to ask yourself. Do you: READ MORE ABOUT IT! Visit PhysiciansPractice.com for additional tips on staying happy at home and on the job: • Learn more strategies for balancing work and family by typing “Balancing Act” in our Search Articles box. • Need some time off but worried about leaving your practice? Type “You Need a Break” in our Search Articles box for some tips on smart vacationing. • Get certified in work-life balance! Check out www.worklifebalance.com. a bit paradoxical, but if something bad does happen at work, discuss it. Your spouse promised to cleave to you, for better or for worse; take advantage of this avowed gift. “Even when she’s home at a regular time and doesn’t need to be napping, there can be tense times because of the nature of her work; it’s draining,” says Gertler of his pediatrician wife. “On days like that she really needs a lot of moral support. I’ve learned not to pry too much, unless she wants to talk about it. … I let her decide what to do with it.” But why leave your spouse to guess? Tell them, clearly and succinctly, during a noncrisis moment, what you need and how you need it when things go badly at work. Need to stew a couple hours and then talk about things over a bottle of wine? Fine. Or maybe a good long walk with your husband and two • Exercise regularly? • Eat right? • Surround yourself with people you like and respect? • Live in an area that ﬁts your lifestyle? • Stay organized? • Go on vacation annually? • Sleep enough? • Work according to your values? • Make your spouse/partner/children feel valued? • Pursue your hobbies? • Confront your problems? WWW.PHYSICIANSPRACTICE.COM 32 | PHYSICIANS PRACTICE | FEBRUARY 2008 http://PhysiciansPractice.com http://www.worklifebalance.com http://WWW.PHYSICIANSPRACTICE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Physicians Practice - February 2008

Physicians Practice - February 2008 Contents The Bigger Picture: Your Future is in Your Hands Letters Physicians Practice Pearls: Creating an A+ Practice Noteworthy Cover Story: Conquering Time: 5 Keys to a More Efficient Practice In Balance: A Family Affair Technology: Making EMRs Work in the Exam Room In Practice: "I've Got Some Bad News" The Tech Doctor - The EMR: Savior or Poseur? Ask the Experts NEW! Healthonomics: How to Handle Health Savings Accounts The Administrator's Desk: Finishing School for New Managers Human Resources: Is Your Partner Impaired The Great Practice Makeover: Too Well-Liked for His Own Good? Coding Idealab: 'Why I Blog' Classifieds Advertiser Index

Physicians Practice - February 2008

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