• Question: Does your family life effect your jobs?

    Asked by Chloe to Adrian, Ali, Charnelle, Deborah, Kit, Phil, Rob on 14 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Philip Williams

      Philip Williams answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      Absolutely. Family are so much more important than a career. However, it is important to do a good job too, especially when patients are involved! General Practice still offers the flexibility to be a good doctor and a good husband/wife/parent. I work four days a week which means that I get three days a week with my family, (daddy & daughter date on Tuesdays!) and I get to do bedtime four nights a week.

    • Photo: Adrian Taylor

      Adrian Taylor answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      When you have children, sometimes they need you more and if you work with a family friendly organisation then having emergency leave once in a while helps.

    • Photo: Robert Cullum

      Robert Cullum answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      Sometimes it can be really challenging to balance home life with work. There are competing interests when you have to work shifts or going days and you also have your partner at home who wants a bit fo your time too. I find the most important thing is good planning and communication so you can balance things as best as possible!

    • Photo: Kit T

      Kit T answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      Usually the other way around! As everyone says balance is the most important thing when the job can demand a lot of your time. Medicine can be quite flexible in that you can work less than full time after graduating for family or health reasons, and many doctors do that so they can still look after children.

    • Photo: Deborah Draycott

      Deborah Draycott answered on 14 Nov 2017:


      Yes work and home can have an impact on each other. I am lucky enough to be able to manage my own clinics so can be flexible with days and times if needed. Having weekends off is helpful when kids are younger, although mine don’t seem to need me now apart from the taxi service.

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