- Key Takeaways
- Achieving Work-Life Balance
- Remind yourself how amazing you are
- Try to be present no matter where you are
- Delegate or outsource tasks whenever possible
- Accept that it is not going to be perfect all of the time
- Take breaks
- Do
training online - Supplement in-office hours with telemedicine appointments
- Ban yourself from going into your office on the weekend
- Adjust your time on-call
- Schedule personal time to take care of your emotional, mental, and physical health
- Learn to prioritize and know when to multitask and when not to
- Next Steps
- Final Words
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Last Updated on April 19, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Set realistic boundaries: Protect your time by limiting weekend office visits, adjusting on-call schedules, and committing to personal downtime for rest and recovery.
- Outsource and delegate tasks: Focus on what matters most by handing off administrative duties and non-clinical work to trusted
team members or outside services. - Use telemedicine strategically: Incorporate virtual consultations to reduce in-office hours while maintaining patient care and enhancing
scheduling flexibility. - Invest in self-care: Schedule time for your emotional, mental, and physical well-being—whether through hobbies, getting enough sleep, exercising, or spending time with loved ones.
- Adopt mindful
productivity habits: Learn when to multitask and when to focus, prioritize tasks wisely, and use digital tools to stay organized and efficient.
Achieving Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a good work-life balance is a universal challenge, but it can be especially difficult for doctors. Unlike many other professions, health matters can’t always wait until the next day, making it challenging to stick to a strict schedule. However, it’s crucial for doctors to have a life of their own and to prioritize self-care, as burnout can quickly set in, making it difficult to provide the best possible care to patients. That’s why we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide with plenty of helpful tips to help doctors achieve a healthy work-life balance. Keep reading to learn more!
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Remind yourself how amazing you are
There is only one place to start, and that’s with how incredible you are! Every day, take a few moments to remind yourself about the work you do. Many stresses and strains come with being a doctor, which can make it easy to lose sight of why you chose such a demanding career in the first place. Sometimes, all you need to do is take a step back and take a look at the work you’re doing. You help people lead better lives. Taking a moment to put things into perspective will help you to regain focus.
Try to be present no matter where you are
Putting aside personal struggles when at work and patient issues when at home is challenging, but not impossible. While it’s easier said than done, there are helpful strategies to aid in achieving this balance, such as meditation. You can find more about meditation for beginners here: mindworks.org. Staying present is vital because it ensures that you don’t miss out on something important due to your mind not being fully engaged.
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Delegate or outsource tasks whenever possible
It’s common for doctors to try to handle all aspects of their practice, but delegating administrative tasks to staff or outsourcing them can free up valuable time for patient care. Rather than spreading yourself too thin, focus on areas where your expertise is most needed. Outsourcing tasks like accounting and admin can also improve efficiency and
Accept that it is not going to be perfect all of the time
Acknowledging that there will be fluctuations in work-life balance is crucial. While there may be times when everything feels perfectly balanced, there will also be periods of imbalance. Recognizing this reality can help you stay motivated to continue striving for a more consistent work-life balance.
Take breaks
Another important tip for maintaining a good work-life balance as a doctor is to take regular breaks. Needless to say, there will be times when it is necessary to schedule consecutive, back-to-back patient appointments. Nevertheless, this cannot be sustained. Switching from one person to another can be incredibly exhausting. That is without even mentioning the other commitments that come with this, such as following up on paperwork. If you don’t build any breaks into your appointment schedule, you’re going to burn out.
The best thing to do is think about your current working day and pinpoint when you start to slow down throughout the day. Schedule a quick 15-minute break at these moments – at a minimum – so that you can decompress and get back up to full working speed. You will be surprised by how much of a difference this can make.
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Supplement in-office hours with telemedicine appointments
Although it’s important to leave work at the office, conducting a few patient consultations from home or another convenient location can reduce office hours and improve work-life balance. With the advent of telemedicine, healthcare professionals can provide quality care remotely, revolutionizing the industry. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your work-life balance.
Ban yourself from going into your office on the weekend
Many doctors get into the habit of going into the office on weekends to catch up on work. However, your weekend is your one opportunity to relax and spend time with family and friends, so make the most of it. Put yourself on a ban from the office on the weekends. This is something you should tell your family and friends about, so they can help prevent you from going in too.
Adjust your time on-call
Is working on-call part of your commitment? Most doctors will work on-call either part-time or full-time. This depends on the practice they work for and their specialty. If you’re someone who is always on call, it can be incredibly difficult to switch out of work mode. Being constantly on call can disrupt your work-life balance, with just one phone call sending you back to work. It may be worthwhile to review your on-call schedule and explore options for adjusting or reducing it. Consider finding other doctors who could cover for you or suggest policy changes. Being on call continuously can make it challenging to achieve a healthy balance, so take steps to improve your schedule.
Schedule personal time to take care of your emotional, mental, and physical health
You spend all day telling people how important it is to take care of their health, both emotionally and physically, but is this something you do yourself? It’s vital to schedule some ‘me time’ so that you can look after yourself. There are plenty of ways to do this, including playing with your kids, going on a date with your partner, sharing a family meal, reading a book unrelated to work, taking a walk, fitting in a quick workout, and getting enough sleep. You should also make sure you look for ways to stick to a healthy diet rather than turning to quick junk food.
Learn to prioritize and know when to multitask and when not to
Last but not least, one of the most critical factors in achieving a good balance and working efficiently is knowing how to prioritize successfully. You need to deal with the tasks that require the most urgent attention first. You also need to know what tasks require your full attention and what tasks are suitable for multitasking. This will help you to work most efficiently.
Balancing work and personal life is a continuous challenge for doctors, and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Nevertheless, following the advice provided can significantly improve your ability to manage both spheres, reduce stress, and prioritize your health and well-being. Consider the welfare of your patients and treat yourself with the same level of care, avoiding overworking and neglecting socialization and rest. With perseverance and the right strategies, a better work-life balance can be achieved.
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Next Steps
- Audit your weekly schedule: Identify where your time is going and flag any recurring tasks that can be delegated or rescheduled to reduce burnout.
- Set boundaries for personal time: Choose one day per week to fully disconnect from work and communicate this boundary clearly to your
team and family. - Try one new self-care habit: Commit to a daily 15-minute activity that supports your mental or physical health, such as meditation, walking, or journaling.
- Integrate telemedicine into your workflow: offer remote consultations to streamline patient care and free up time for administrative tasks or personal breaks.
- Reevaluate your on-call obligations: Review your on-call schedule and explore ways to share duties or reduce frequency through
team coordination or policy discussions.
Final Words
Finding balance in a demanding medical career isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for long-term performance and personal fulfillment. By setting clear boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and embracing more innovative work strategies like telemedicine and delegation, you can reduce stress and regain control of your time. Remember that taking care of yourself is not a sign of weakness, but a necessary part of being the best you can be for others. With consistent action and the right mindset, a healthier balance is achievable.
Whether you're a seasoned professional in search of a career change or a beginner just entering the working world, you want to make the right choices from the beginning.
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
