EM Scheduling Q

[Nightfox]

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Hey guys. I know there are similar threads on this, but none that I could find that could address my particular question. I am currently interviewing for both ER and IM residencies (still deciding if I want to specialize or do ER). I have to say that if I was an ED doc, I don't know how long I could do random shifts without burning out. For example, I spent a few months during my rotations and my sleep cycle was so ruined that my days off were spent sleeping at odd times (staying awake past 7 am, sleeping till 5 pm). If one has a family, I feel like this can cause problems.

I talked to my attending about this issue and he told me that several centers allow attendings to work say 4 days on 5 days off and still make a great living. This would be ideal imo.

My question is, how common are schedules like these and is it possible that when signing on with a hospital that one could negotiate such a schedule for themselves?

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[turtle md]

I am currently interviewing for both ER and IM residencies (still deciding if I want to specialize or do ER).

Um, sorry, but EM is a specialty..

But to answer your question, I had plenty of time to spend with my wife and kids during residency, and now that I am an attending, I have loads of time. I find it more difficult to hang out with my non-EM fellow docs b/c they are always working... 🙂

You will work different shifts. But you won't work all day, then be on call all night, then work all the next day.

I've gotten used to working at all odd hours..

If you want routine, EM is not for you. If you want to know when you will be working and when you'll be off, EM is great.

Hope this helps..

 

[DrQuinn]

Not enough time with family?

My schedule in Dec is 107 hours. You can divide that by 4.5 weeks and you get 24 hours of work a week!

Another way to think about it, is I am working 14 shifts. That means I have 17 days off in the month of December.

That's PLENTY of time with family.

I have two little ones, an 18 months old and a 2 weeker. My schedule works great.

The bigger questions is not if you can handle the schedule, but if you like EM more than IM (or its subspecialties). You may love (or hate) the shifting of schedules, but if you do'nt like (or love), your job, no matter how much or how little you work, you are going ot hate life, and this transcends to your family and yoru life as well.

Q

 

[Nightfox]

Turtle, I wasn't calling EM a nonspecialty, sorry for confusion. I was simply wondering if I want to do an IM subspecialty or do EM. Secondly, I don't want to be disrespectful, but I am asking about how commonplace a schedule is that have back to back shifts e.g. 4 days on 5 days off.

 

[quideam]

Turtle, I wasn't calling EM a nonspecialty, sorry for confusion. I was simply wondering if I want to do an IM subspecialty or do EM. Secondly, I don't want to be disrespectful, but I am asking about how commonplace a schedule is that have back to back shifts e.g. 4 days on 5 days off.

Don't forget that you will also be doing nights - definitely as a resident, and then generally at least for a while as an attending. How many and for how long varies, but you will have to get used to those also.

 

[turtle md]

Turtle, I wasn't calling EM a nonspecialty, sorry for confusion. I was simply wondering if I want to do an IM subspecialty or do EM. Secondly, I don't want to be disrespectful, but I am asking about how commonplace a schedule is that have back to back shifts e.g. 4 days on 5 days off.

The beauty of EM is you can do anything you want. Before I moved to New Zealand, I was an Independant Contractor, so I made my own schedule. For example, I worked 4 days on, 2 off, then 4 on, then took the rest of the month off to visit family in Europe. I have heard of groups with progressive schedules, where you will work a series of days, then time off, then perhaps a run of evenings, then more time off, then a series of nights, then more time off.

Like Quinn said, decide 1st if you like EM. If you do, then you can find something that will be acceptable to you. If you don't like it, then no schedule will work for you.

 

[Nightfox]

The beauty of EM is you can do anything you want. Before I moved to New Zealand, I was an Independant Contractor, so I made my own schedule. For example, I worked 4 days on, 2 off, then 4 on, then took the rest of the month off to visit family in Europe. I have heard of groups with progressive schedules, where you will work a series of days, then time off, then perhaps a run of evenings, then more time off, then a series of nights, then more time off.

Like Quinn said, decide 1st if you like EM. If you do, then you can find something that will be acceptable to you. If you don't like it, then no schedule will work for you.

Thanks, this answers my question. I've done about 12 weeks of ER rotations so far and it has been my favorite rotation. The adjusting to the schedule was a challenge for me, but I'm sure one gets used to it. I know I like the subject a lot. Thanks for the responses.

 

[DrQuinn]

Turtle, I wasn't calling EM a nonspecialty, sorry for confusion. I was simply wondering if I want to do an IM subspecialty or do EM. Secondly, I don't want to be disrespectful, but I am asking about how commonplace a schedule is that have back to back shifts e.g. 4 days on 5 days off.

In December at my new gig, I have a stretch where I have an entire week off (wasn't asked for), and 5 days around Christmas off. Most of my shifts are stacked into groups of 3-4, with a few sprinklings of other shifts. ALL of my nights and evening shifts are grouped together.

Also, its advantageous in EM that you get your schedule far in advance, to help with planning and with family.

Q