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[deleted403310]

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[link2swim06]

I know of the (ROAD) and (EROAD) specialties being more lifestyle oriented, but have also heard of specialties such as PM&R having a low average hours worked per week.

So, which specialties have a low average hours per week workweek?

I'd say EM and derm average near or below 40 hours per week.

 

[muhali3]

Most specialties allow you to have some choice in how much you work. For example, the average anesthesiologist works around 52 hrs/wk. However, it isn't incredibly hard to find gigs working 40 hrs/wk with no call.
So imo, the average hrs/wk shouldn't be used to predict how much you'll have to work if you go into that specialty.

But to answer your original question...Medical Genetics, Sleep Medicine, Allergy/Immunology, Pathology, ID, and the ones mentioned above.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'd say EM and derm average near or below 40 hours per week.

EM and derm are #1 and 2, but few people in derm average below 40 hours / week.

 

[Long Dong]

EM and derm are #1 and 2, but few people in derm average below 40 hours / week.

Not really I say the majority work less then 40 a week out of residency. Every contract I've taken a serious look at as for 4 or 4.5 work days a week. The one I eventually signed was for 4 work days a week.

 

[Reductio]

Family Practice -

I know two of them that do clinic about 20 hrs/wk, and "moonlight" in urgent care for one or two shifts per week.

I know another FP that works 4 days/wk, about 40 hours.

Considering these are the only 3 FPs of which I know their schedules - I'm lead to believe that its a pretty sweet gig.

 

[Lil Mick]

For clinical medicine, forensic pathology. Weird hours sometimes, but good pay and short work hours 🙂

 

[Ribseye]

For clinical medicine, forensic pathology. Weird hours sometimes, but good pay and short work hours 🙂

"Good pay" :
According to Payscale.com, forensic pathologists who possess one to four years of experience can earn between $53,500 and $114,650 per year, and this range increases for those who have more experience.

Source: Forensic Science Careers: Forensic Pathology

 

[Pedsbro]

I know of the (ROAD) and (EROAD) specialties being more lifestyle oriented, but have also heard of specialties such as PM&R having a low average hours worked per week.

So, which specialties have a low average hours per week workweek?

I'm not sure Radiology belongs in the low hours conversation anymore... I've worked with and talk to many out West and in Ohio (academic and private)...none of them said they worked less than 50-55 hours a week, except one who does mostly mammography and biopsies. Who knows, maybe they all happen to be in the minority...

 

[ArcGurren]

I'm not sure Radiology belongs in the low hours conversation anymore... I've worked with and talk to many out West and in Ohio (academic and private)...none of them said they worked less than 50-55 hours a week, except one who does mostly mammography and biopsies. Who knows, maybe they all happen to be in the minority...

Most radiologists I"ve met work 8-6 or 9-5 depending on the day so that sounds about right.

Derm and EM are prob the least long work weeks

 

[MossPoh]

It depends on the person and their desires as much as the specialty.....My dad is a radiologist and 60 hours a week was pretty common for him.

EM, the hours can be kind of deceiving depending on how the scheduling is set up.

I've met surgeons in the 40 hour range and dermatologists in the 70+ range. It just depends on your goals, the practice you join or the practice you create. Never forget that if you want to own your own practice, you are still a business owner and do have to deal with all that stuff as well.

 

[tehdude]

EM, Derm, Psych

 

[Reductio]

EM, Derm, Psych

Why does nobody believe that FP is a good gig... most weekends off during residency, 40 hour workweeks afterwards.

 

[BlackNDecker]

Why does nobody believe that FP is a good gig... most weekends off during residency, 40 hour workweeks afterwards.

Probably because when the "work day" is over, you still have phone calls, prior authorization forms, O2 scripts, etc to complete. So the "hours worked" per day don't necessarily equal the "total hours" each day. BTW, you don't get paid for all the extra b.s. paperwork and phone calls.

 

[Law2Doc]

Why does nobody believe that FP is a good gig... most weekends off during residency, 40 hour workweeks afterwards.

According to a recent Medscape survey, average FP money is in the $150k range. Anecdotally, most of the average FP types i know seem to work in the 60 hour/week range to earn this. The one FP I know who earns "specialty" level money works well over 100 hours per week. I also know a few FP "part timers" who still put in more hours than the typical ED attending, to earn below FP average money. So I probably wouldn't put FP high on the lifestyle list.

 

[Law2Doc]

Probably because when the "work day" is over, you still have phone calls, prior authorization forms, O2 scripts, etc to complete. So the "hours worked" per day don't necessarily equal the "total hours" each day. BTW, you don't get paid for all the extra b.s. paperwork and phone calls.

Agreed. FP, peds, and some IM internists tend to have to work the phones and do "homework"most evenings in ways a lot of other specialties don't.

 

[Reductio]

According to a recent Medscape survey, average FP money is in the $150k range. Anecdotally, most of the average FP types i know seem to work in the 60 hour/week range to earn this. The one FP I know who earns "specialty" level money works well over 100 hours per week. I also know a few FP "part timers" who still put in more hours than the typical ED attending, to earn below FP average money. So I probably wouldn't put FP high on the lifestyle list.

Probably because when the "work day" is over, you still have phone calls, prior authorization forms, O2 scripts, etc to complete. So the "hours worked" per day don't necessarily equal the "total hours" each day. BTW, you don't get paid for all the extra b.s. paperwork and phone calls.

Oh.... Im in an area thats saturated with docs, so the FPs I know don't have typical FP setups. Come to think of it, they might as well be IM or private pract/Urgent care-EM docs, and might have got their jobs from a posting for any-of-the-above. Though that does speak to the flexibility of FP.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

According to a recent Medscape survey, average FP money is in the $150k range. Anecdotally, most of the average FP types i know seem to work in the 60 hour/week range to earn this. The one FP I know who earns "specialty" level money works well over 100 hours per week. I also know a few FP "part timers" who still put in more hours than the typical ED attending, to earn below FP average money. So I probably wouldn't put FP high on the lifestyle list.

I dunno. Blue Dog in the FM forum works 40ish hours/wk and pulls in something "well above" the FM average.

I think FM is deceptive that way. You need to be a good small businessperson and effectively control your overhead and manage your billing. Many FM docs can't do this and are profiled in the NY Times as examples of how primary care is dying.

PS: (Obviously all doctors who are working by themselves need to be decent businesspeople. But, my point is that with all the above listed hassles of FM that may not be as present in specialist offices, combined with the relatively low pay of FM docs in the first place, FM docs have to be especially adept at managing overhead.)

 

[muhali3]

Not really I say the majority work less then 40 a week out of residency. Every contract I've taken a serious look at as for 4 or 4.5 work days a week. The one I eventually signed was for 4 work days a week.

So about 36 hrs/wk? Making 350k+? Ballin...

 

[DrVanNostran]

EM seems to be 36-40 hours a week (3-12s or 4 tens), but adjusting sleep cycles sucks probably.

You probably could go into just about any field and hit the 40 hours a week, but you will take a financial hit or won't be as marketable to groups or hospitals.

 

[Law2Doc]

...

You probably could go into just about any field and hit the 40 hours a week, but you will take a financial hit or won't be as marketable to groups or hospitals.

it would be hard in a lot of fields while you were still very junior. It would basically mean you would only be available for 4 ten hour days a week, with no willingness to do an overnight call shift or weekend shift. You can perhaps get this in academic medicine if you count academic days as "days off". But in private practice, this is very much part time work outside of EM and derm. A place that has to incur medmal and G&A expenses for someone ends up getting a much better deal hiring someone who will work 60+ hours instead of 40. So most places aren't going to offer many spots like this if they can get someone good who will work more hours.

 

[tigress]

One of my best friends is starting her pathology residency soon, and she keeps trying to convince me to consider path. Her hours even during her first year of residency are going to be amazing (like 50-60 hours), and there's no in-house call even during PGY1. She is going to be making pretty good money. She recommends it especially for women with children or planning on children.

Personally I'm not interested, but it's a great field if that's your thing.

 

[maninthemirror]

Otolaryngology isn't too bad with regards to this.

 

[BASuperman]

Physiatry is one i've heard to be very family life friendly. The physiatrist office in my hometown is open Monday - Friday (8-5 or 6.)

Those don't sound like too many hours to me. Now if this is the case with all PM&R physicians, I am not sure of.

 

[Law2Doc]

One of my best friends is starting her pathology residency soon, and she keeps trying to convince me to consider path. Her hours even during her first year of residency are going to be amazing (like 50-60 hours), and there's no in-house call even during PGY1. She is going to be making pretty good money....

Except that reportedly a lot of path folks are having a hard time finding jobs these days.

 

[tigress]

Except that reportedly a lot of path folks are having a hard time finding jobs these days.

Really? I didn't know that. Most of what I know about path is from my friend. What other specialties are people having a hard time finding jobs in?

 

[muhali3]

Really? I didn't know that. Most of what I know about path is from my friend. What other specialties are people having a hard time finding jobs in?

lol. how do you have so many posts and not know? Path is the pretty much the only specialty where it's hard to get a job post-residency.

 

[Law2Doc]

lol. how do you have so many posts and not know? Path is the pretty much the only specialty where it's hard to get a job post-residency.

I think radiology fellows in subspecialties other than IR and mammo are having a tough time too.

This is a tough economy. Probably will be a very different world in 5 years. But the folks in residency and fellowship now might have to contend with a leaner job market than has been seen in a long while. It's only a few fields so far. Unless times get better, it will impact other fields before long.

 

[tigress]

lol. how do you have so many posts and not know? Path is the pretty much the only specialty where it's hard to get a job post-residency.

Because most of my posts are from years and years ago 🙂 I haven't even been on this site more than 10 minutes in the past year, I think. It just got to the point this summer that I am really bored and looking for things to do.

 

[AngryBird69]

I understand the interest in knowing which specialty has the lowest hours worked ( i've spent many hours looking into this myself)...however one thing that I've really come to appreciate recently is that the hours you ultimately work is up to you in ANY specialty. For example, I know a recently minted Neurosurgeon (spinal) who works 35 hours per week on avg while my family dermatologist works ~50hrs. My sister-in-law is an msk radiologist and she consistently clocks in ~60hrs every week. Her nephew is a pain anesthesiologist and takes the cake in terms of gig sweetness (~30hours/wk). None of these guys' hours fit their specialty's stereotype.

The point is im trying to get at: Don't lose too much sleep on researching lifestyle; go into what you like and be smart with your job search and, if possible, entrepeneurship. Don't go into PMR or derm just looking to have a 9-4 job cause you can find those same hours doing something you like and getting paid waaaay more.