Surgeons taking vaca!

[NDESTRUKT]

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So should I do my desired backpacking trip across Europe now or will I have a chance to do that after surgery residency? I'm asking this in all honesty.

I mean my surgery attendings take vaca and all, but to go to another country like New Zealand or Europe you need about 2-3 weeks off. Do people actually do this?

 

[Blade28]

If you have time during your MS-IV year, I'd highly recommend doing everything you've ever wanted to do (money permitting) - you may have some time off after residency before you start your job, but don't assume it.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

So do surgeons ever take vaca with their family? What about spring break with the kiddies? Or Christmas break to see grandma? Or graduation to Europe with the new grad!?

 

[Blade28]

Depends on what kind of practice you have - private (solo), partner, group, HMO, academics, etc. Also depends on what field you're in.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

The attendings I work with take vacation. Usually in one week blocks to keep scheduling and call coverage straight forward. Summer is a popular time for vacation for my attendings as the kids are out of school and the weather is usually pretty nice. I'm in ENT, so I can't really say for sure how the GS guys do. Although I seem to recall from my intern year that they seemed to do OK as well.

Less pressure to produce/see tons of patients at an academic center than in private practice where time off is money lost??

 

[SocialistMD]

If you do your residency at a program that requires (or highly suggests) research, you will find time (and financial resources) are good during your research years for such a trip. It is also possible to make such a trip during the clinical portion of residency (many people are able to take two-week honeymoons during their clinical years), it just requires you to take most of your vacation time back-to-back. This can be nice during the vacation, but it may result in your next vacation being over a year away.

 

[mdjobexchange]

taking a long vac after residency is no problem. I went to africa for a month after finishing anesthesia residency. the group I was joining wanted me asap, but they also understood it was the last time I could do something like that.
I would do it after residency, as residency is way more srtessful than school, no matter what your specialty. Your responsibilities multiply exponentially after finishing training.

 

[jubb]

The surgeons I know work there butts off when they work but they still take quite a bit of time off every year. They probably take like 6 whole weeks off during the course of the year. The thing that sucks is that if you are in private practice you are still paying your secretaries to show up those days and you aren't making any money.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

taking vaca as an ENT or gas passer isn't that hard - doing it as a surgeon is, or so it seems. i guess i just want a realistic view as to whether these fine people can take a much deserved break for 2-3 weeks at a time straight

 

[Misterioso]

I hear DeBakey never took a vacation. He's like a 100 and can still outwork most of you guys.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

taking vaca as an ENT or gas passer isn't that hard - doing it as a surgeon is, or so it seems. i guess i just want a realistic view as to whether these fine people can take a much deserved break for 2-3 weeks at a time straight

Maybe you mean to clarify your post by saying "....doing it as a GENERAL surgeons is...."


To imply that an ENT doctor isn't a surgeon is ludicrous. Although it is a generally more lifestlye oriented field than general surgery, it's clearly a surgical field.

 

[forbin]

Some gen surg programs (such as the one at my institution) have their residents take all their vacation in one big 4 week block once a year. One of my friends went to Australia/New Zealand/Tahiti for her vacation.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

Maybe you mean to clarify your post by saying "....doing it as a GENERAL surgeons is...."


To imply that an ENT doctor isn't a surgeon is ludicrous. Although it is a generally more lifestlye oriented field than general surgery, it's clearly a surgical field.

Obviously it was a simple mistake. I don't discriminate against people.

 

[Pilot Doc]

Obviously it was a simple mistake. I don't discriminate against people.

What do you discriminate against? Arthropods? Pickup trucks?

Seriously, taking a 3 week vacation in almost ANY medical field is difficult. The reason you have a job is that there is a steady stream of work coming your way, and this generally involves patients who want to see Dr. Ndestrukt. Your absence is a disappointment to your patients and their referring physicians and an additional burden on your partners. (But frankly the same is true for a lawyer, consultant, small-business owner etc - essentially any desirable job for a bright, aggressive person.)

The exceptions are jobs where you are an interchangable part - rads, gas, path, etc and perhaps a group practice that is so large that someone is always on vacation (which would be unusual for any surgical specialty.)

So in summary, you will never again in all your working life have as much flexibility as you do during your fourth year. Go see the world!

 

[NDESTRUKT]

What do I discriminate against? Girlscout cookies..duh!

Samoas > Thin Mints > the rest

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

There are definitely programs where you take all 3-4 vacation weeks at once. This makes for a sweet opportunity to travel abroad. However, I would imagine it makes for a long rest of the year. anyway, something to consider.