M4 here, thinking about applying to EM. I'm wondering how possible it would be to have a career in EM while working mostly evening shifts? I have delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, and so a big priority of mine is having a job that allows me to start work after 12pm or so. I do OK staying up all night, so night shifts would be doable too, but working afternoons/evenings (12pm-8pm, 4pm-12am, 6pm-2am, etc.) would be the ideal case scenario. There seems to be no better way to deal with my sleep disorder at this point, unfortunately, and the chronic sleep deprivation from having to be at the hospital by 6am for most of the past year has already taken a toll on my health. I ruled out gas and surgery quickly solely due to the very early starts, though I loved the OR.
So for those in EM, I'm wondering how flexible would your groups be in allowing docs to work a schedule like this? I hear that mornings are preferable for most people due to family commitments and such, and there is traditionally less demand for evening and night shifts. If there was a physician who wanted to work mostly evenings, would your group accommodate that? Or would I be better off in some different specialty that allows me to work in private practice and control my own schedule more effectively?
So for those in EM, I'm wondering how flexible would your groups be in allowing docs to work a schedule like this? I hear that mornings are preferable for most people due to family commitments and such, and there is traditionally less demand for evening and night shifts. If there was a physician who wanted to work mostly evenings, would your group accommodate that? Or would I be better off in some different specialty that allows me to work in private practice and control my own schedule more effectively?
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