Physicians often work long and irregular hours.
Physicians are medical professionals with over eight years of undergraduate and medical education. The job of a physician can be very stressful and demanding, and many physicians can agree that the hours are often unrelenting. The average work week of a physician depends on several factors.
Features
Although the career field of medicine is rewarding in more ways than one, physicians certainly work hard for their income. Long hours means good pay, but it also means less time for relaxing or social activities. Since hospitals are open 24/7, some doctors are required to be on call or work tiresome hours to fulfill their obligation of patient care.
Types
Average physician work hours vary by specialty. For example, dermatologists averaged a 45.5-hour work week, while pediatricians pulled in an average of 54.0 hours each week, according to a study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003. Anesthesiologists and gynecologists tied for the longest average work week at 61.0 hours.
Considerations
Not all physicians work the same schedule. Some physicians many only work part-time on weekends, while others may work full-time, on-call or per diem. Some physicians even have varied schedules. For example, they make work two weeks on and two weeks off, or work in a hospital on weekends and in their own practice during the week. Physicians that own their own practice can set their own hours.
Geography
Where a doctor lives may also affect their hours. For example, if a doctor lives in Manhattan, New York, he may be subject to on-call hours and overnight hours, as the city is busy and the hospital may cater to hundreds, or possibly thousands, of people each day. A physician that lives in a small, rural town in Montana may only have to work set weekday hours at a private clinic or small hospital.
Warning
Fortunately, for medical interns or residents, a law that was recently passed requires that residents not be allowed to work more than 80 hours in a week, according to the American College of Osteopathic Internists' website. Interns are also not allowed to work for more than 24 hours straight without having a break. Failure to follow this law may get the hospital in trouble and cause the intern to become sleep deprived, which can lead to poor care of patients and oneself.
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