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Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2019; 32(06): 442-449
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693011
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Work–Life Integration and Time Management Strategies

Lindsey Gade
1   Department of Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
,
Heather L. Yeo
2   Department of Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Queens, New York
3   Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 September 2019 (online)

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Abstract

When choosing a career as a surgeon, we knowingly dedicate ourselves to a lifetime of service and education. Our commitment as physicians is but one of many commitments in the larger scheme of life where we function as family members, friends, athletes, and numerous other roles. Work and life are often described as two separate entities diametrically opposed to each other. In reality, personal and professional goals are part of a continuum where work is a major part of our lives and who we are as people and is not necessarily separate from the others. The goal-directed nature with which we approach our responsibilities as surgeons should be applied to all domains of life. As we progress along the training paradigm from intern to attending, control over time allocation increases. Understanding oneself, determining priorities, applying realistic expectations, cultivating a supportive environment, setting personal and professional goals, and being held accountable for progress and completion of these goals will allow us to utilize limited time efficiently to achieve what we individually desire from life.

Keywords

work–life integration - short-/long-term goals - schedule expectations - environment
 

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