How scalable are the hours as a doctor?

[leehrat]

---

Members don't see this ad.

obviously this depends on the specialty, but i was just wondering whether or not the workload for doctors is scalable. one of the attractions in potentially becoming a doctor for me is the fact that, in certain specialties, i've heard that you can cut your hours down as you grow older and adopt a more PT work schedule (ie from 60 hrs/wk->30-40. is this possible in specialties like pathology, neurology, radiology, urology, etc? you'd obviously take a salary cut, but i'd much rather do that then just zoom straight to retirement like those in business/law do. is this possible? thanks for responses!

 

[CANES2006]

is this possible in specialties like pathology, neurology, radiology, urology, etc?

Of course it is. It is possible in ALL specialties of medicine, however be prepared to experience major cuts in $$$.

 

[lilycat]

obviously this depends on the specialty, but i was just wondering whether or not the workload for doctors is scalable. one of the attractions in potentially becoming a doctor for me is the fact that, in certain specialties, i've heard that you can cut your hours down as you grow older and adopt a more PT work schedule (ie from 60 hrs/wk->30-40. is this possible in specialties like pathology, neurology, radiology, urology, etc? you'd obviously take a salary cut, but i'd much rather do that then just zoom straight to retirement like those in business/law do. is this possible? thanks for responses!

😕 😕 😕

It's actually pretty possible in any of the careers that you mentioned. I don't know too many attorneys who work 60-80 hrs/week and then straight to zero, with no in between.

As for that type of schedule in medicine, it really depends on the field AND type of practice you go into -- if you are in academics or a large group vs. private practice, etc. And, you will take a decent-sized cut to your salary.

 

[toxic-megacolon]

Of course it is. It is possible in ALL specialties of medicine, however be prepared to experience major cuts in $$$.

Every specialty except for Neurosurgery, I'd say...