Kaye/Bassman’s Eric Dickerson Featured in PracticeLink Magazine

Does Work-Life Balance Exist for Physicians?

Striving for balance is a thing of the past. Think “integrated” instead.

Yes, work-life balance is possible in medicine. That’s the good news. You can have a personal life and a fulfilling career simultaneously. But unlike in previous generations, when you were either working or not working, work and personal lives are now commingled. That’s not necessarily bad news, but effective time management becomes the key to feeling like you have time to yourself. […]

 

Finding the right fit

What does balance look like for you? What do you want your schedule to look like? What do you want time for? Do you need blocks of time to compete in downhill ski competitions during the winter, or evenings off so you can tuck your kids into bed? When you’re clear about that, it becomes easier to find a position that can offer the mix you seek. […]

For many physicians, finding the right employment fit is vital to obtaining work-life balance. One way to determine if a position offers enough balance is to ask questions during the interview process to understand the culture, says Eric Dickerson, managing director and senior practice leader, academic medicine, with Kaye/Bassman International in Plano, Texas. Some of the best questions that get at balance and workload expectations are:

• What is a typical day like here?
• What’s the number-one challenge you’re trying to solve by hiring someone in this position?
• What would you want the person selected for this position to accomplish in the next two to three months? In the next year?
• Is this a new role of a replacement role? Why did the previous person leave? Or why is the role now needed?

The responses to these questions can help you assess whether you’re willing to invest the kind of time and energy that will be necessary to be successful in that role.

Organizations realize they have to be honest to prevent physicians from leaving quickly,” says Dickerson.

While only 5 to 7 percent make a career move because the job they were promised is different from what they were given, Dickerson says, the cost to recruit a replacement is significant. And employers want to avoid setting anyone up to be disappointed.

Dickerson recommends looking for signs of the organization’s culture, such as:

• Are people smiling?
• Do they greet one another?
• Is the interviewer greeting others?
• Does he or she know everyone?

A culture of friendliness is aligned with balance,” observes Dickerson, so look for indicators that employees are happy and like each other if balance is important to you.

Read the rest of the featured story on PracticeLink’s Magazine – Winter 2018 Annual Quality of Life issue. Turn to page 50 for Eric’s insert. 

Source: PracticeLink