Typical day/week - how much in OR?

[gman33]

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I have a little different spin on some of the typical questions about hours/lifestyle.

In a given day or week, how much of your time is spent in the OR?
When you are doing cases, are you in there all the time or is it possible to get out and get someone to cover for you?
I know this would be different depending on whether you are doing your own cases vs. supervising.

Here's the reason I'm asking. I have some med issues with my GI system. Nothing too major and thankfully it's been pretty well controlled as of late. The problem is, every once in a while it flairs up and needs a pretty quick trip to the restroom. Just wondering how this would work in Anesthesia. Obviously it's not ideal.

Any comments about your typical hours in a day or week would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Bertelman]

That may be a deal breaker. At best, you would be limited to CRNA supervision once you graduate, or a career in academics where no one expects you to be available.

 

[Trisomy13]

when i was a medical student i knew a resident with UC, which has some similarity to what you described. he finished residency, did a fellowship, etc. i don't know the details of how he managed (didn't care or want to know honestly), but it's apparently not an automatic deal-breaker. for what it's worth, he did a non-OR based fellowship, but i'm in no position to say whether that was a pre-existing decision or one influenced by his condition.

 

[gman33]

Thanks for the comments.
Could either of you give some details on a typical day? (I know it's highly variable.)
How much time do you spend in the OR versus pre/post ops?
How long are cases? For super long ones, can you get some relief if you need to get out for a bit?

Most of my issues are in the past, I don't have Crohn's or anything like that. Something like this may only come up like once a year. It's probably not much worse than the amount of times a normal person needs to run to the bathroom. So I guess my question is, what would you do in this situation? Can you get someone to help you out in a case like this?
Worst case, I'd just have an accident that I'd never be able to live down. 👎

 

[Gern Blansten]

In my opinion, it can be done. There will be times when it would be difficult and it may require letting your attendings know of your condition so that they can help during those few bad times a year. It may limit the type of practice you are able to join. If you are a solo provider on an all night case on call, there won't be any help.

I personally know of two anesthesiologists with this issue. One does full time pain currently but worked for years supervising residents and CRNAs. The other is still young and in training, but almost everyone is unaware that they even have the problem. They do not cause any extra burden on their colleagues (in fact, they work harder than their colleagues).

There will probably be some challenging times, but if you are committed to the specialty, I would not close your mind to it.

Personally, I would rather have a hard working colleague with IBS/Crohns/UC than a perfectly healthy lazy colleague.

 

[Bertelman]

On a good day, I'm in the OR until 3-4 pm, then maybe 2 preops and home. Most days follow that routine. If your symptoms are as infrequent as once per year, I wouldn't expect much difficulty getting a colleague to cover you for a brief time for relief. I always get a couple breaks during the day. We almost always have free residents around that are doing OB, the block service, PACU or some non-OR assignment.

The difficulty would arise depending on how quickly you sense the need, and how quickly relief could come. If you are starting a big case with lines, or the schedule is busy, or you are on call overnight in a case, relief may have to wait for up to an hour. Again, though, if this is only happening once a year, chances are you will be OK. I was under the impresion you had these attacks more frequently.

 

[coprolalia]

So I guess my question is, what would you do in this situation?

Immodium and peppermint oil. Of course, that's what I'd do.

-copro

 

[gman33]

Thanks for the additional insight.
I usually have a sense for when problems might be coming.
I've been pretty symptom free for the past couple of years, but it's still something I worry about. I'll probably try to monitor things a little more closely over the next year or two. My main concern is that I just wouldn't be comfortable if I had no source of backup most of the time. It sounds like in some cases, there would be some help if needed. Mainly I just want to make sure I wouldn't be putting anyone at risk.

 

[Trisomy13]

bottom line is, although embarrassing, i doubt you would be the first person in history to sh|t in the garbage can.

 

[gman33]

bottom line is, although embarrassing, i doubt you would be the first person in history to sh|t in the garbage can.

i've done that before, it just wasn't in an OR 😱