Balancing work and life.

1
Balancing work and life.

• Charlene B. Irvin, MD
• St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Wayne State
  University School of Medicine

2
Introduction

• 4 children in 4.5 years
• 3 in residency (4 year program)
• Pregnant more months than not in residency
• Research Director
• 10 new projects/year
• Board of Trustees
• Author of 1 book, editor for another
• Active in volunteering-Mentor, 3rd grade, Brazil
• Weekly radio spot x 2 years, now EM blog
• www/emspecialists.com
• Why? Or Why Not?

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Where do you find the time?

• You own your time..
• How do you set your priorities?
• Decisions you can, and cannot make
• Things you can and cannot control
• Its YOUR call..

4
Do what you LOVE!!

• Life is short and then you die
• AT the end of the day.you never know..
• Liberal I love you
• Use it or loose itEmbrace Peds..
• Dont live in fear..just live prepared

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Pick your battles

• Make friends in the sand box
• Smile on the phone
• You CAN compromise, without compromising patient
  care.. (document)
• The first response to every question is Yes..
• Every problem has a solution..if sides are
  willing.(win ..win does exist)

6
Etiquette

• Get the names straight
• Be there when you said you would
• Its OK to say nosometimes
• Make your self personal and valuable..so when you
  mess up..easily forgiven
• AT every meeting..contribute something..at least
  one intelligant statement

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SalvageIt takes TIME

• Marriage
• Be realistic.
• Pick a life partner
• Your children learn about relationships from you!
• Get help before you run into trouble
• Kids
• Babies one on one
• Kids coach approach
• Teens one on on

8
Two fers

• Things that serve dual purposes
• Travel with the kids
• Yes..they will miss schoolso?......
• Show teachers valueReport on .
• Kids volunteer in the ED
• Team doctor
• School health volunteer

9
Accept imperfection

• You will miss some things
• You will not always be in a good frame of mind
• The house will be a mess
• Meals will not always be home cooked
• Remember the important things loved and safe
• Barson Advise Let it go..they will grow out of
  it..

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Your kids are always watching

• Learn about relationshipshusband and wife.
• Do you want to be right or in a relationship?
• Learn how to interact with parents
• That means how you interact with your parents or
  in-laws!
• www.mommd.com

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Emergency Medicine

• Lucky you!
• Great set of options (think out of residency)
• Midnights work great for little babies and
  studying for the boards (nothing like the quiet
  of 2AM)
• No Pager (for most of you!)

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Life after Residency/ Boards

• Its all about who you work with
• Can you trust your signouts?
• Will they pick up the slack in emergencies?
• Work with your schedule
• Never set in stone
• May need some time to work the schedule
• Usually doable!

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Whats next.

• Its up to you
• EM is a great Family Career
• Keep things in balance
• Remember you are in control
• Make good decisions.
• Good Luck!!!!