Growing up, we all looked up to someone from a certain field we aspired to follow in life; in particular, many of us looked up to doctors and other healthcare professionals. Fortunately, after years of longing and admiration, many of us chose to pursue it as a career.
A medical professional’s lifestyle ranging from their years as a student to a practicing professional typically combines managing their personal life with fulfilling their demanding professional obligations. Working in the health care system comes with its own set of pros and cons. (merits/demerits)
Working Hours and On-Call Duties
Medical professionals often work lengthy hours, enduring shifts lasting up to 12 hours, with many specialties requiring them to be on call to respond to emergencies at any given time.
Continuing Education and Acquisition of Knowledge
Medical practitioners need to stay current with advances in their respective specialties, which frequently entails going to conferences, and workshops, and receiving further training. They also have acquired extensive knowledge of the human body, diseases, and their treatment, this can be both intellectually and personally rewarding.
Patient Care and Impact on their Lives
A noteworthy amount of a medical professional’s time revolves around patient care, which comprises of diagnosis, treatment, and management of diverse health issues. Also, elevating the opportunity to significantly impact the lives of those they treat by providing care, alleviating pain, and potentially saving lives.
Administrative Tasks
It is no secret that healthcare workers are subjected to enormous administrative duties like handling insurance paperwork, liaising with other healthcare practitioners, and maintaining patient records.
Stress and Burnout
Dating back to their years of education to their years of practicing, medical professionals are exposed to extensive amounts of stress. This stress is a result of the high stakes of the working environment, which can eventually lead to burnout. To avoid burnout, medical professionals need to develop effective coping mechanisms such as exercise, meditation, and counseling.
Adapting to Shifts and Work-life Balance
Medical professionals including students and especially residents become accustomed to working irregular hours including night shifts. It can be challenging to balance professional responsibilities and personal obligations, but doing so is crucial for long-term career satisfaction and personal well-being.
Financial Rewards and Debts
The medical profession can be very financially lucrative, but it comes with its fair share of debts, that are a result of the high costs of medical school. This requires students to exercise cautious financial management, often taking out loans and planning for future debt repayment.
Professional Development and Networking
It takes time and labor to establish a name and a practice, thus many medical professionals make investments in growing their networks and professional skills. To develop relationships and further their careers, many practitioners attend conferences, join organizations for professionals, and network with mentors and peers.
Impact On Personal Life
The hectic lifestyle and demanding schedule mostly impact family life and personal relationships and may also get in the way of personal hobbies and times; therefore, at most support and understanding from loved ones becomes a necessity.
Community Involvement and Educating
Being well-versed in their fields they hold a prestigious position in society. Medical professionals serve as active and influential members of the community, by educating individuals on specific diseases, outbreaks, their preventions, etc. Organizing and taking part in events aimed at promoting health.
All things considered, a medical professional’s lifestyle is complex and dynamic, needing a delicate balance between personal happiness, professional commitment, and ongoing adaptability to the ever-evolving healthcare environment.
A healthcare professional’s family also makes a significant contribution since their unwavering encouragement and support culminate in them performing better and more effectively in demanding situations. While the healthcare industry undoubtedly has challenges, ultimately, the desire to change society, have a significant impact on someone’s life, and be able to influence a community on such a large scale stems from a sense of fulfillment.Â
Also Read: THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP FOR GOOD HEALTH
My Experience
Being a member of the medical community as a medical student, the most challenging aspect for me was the switch from high school to medical school. Since, we are exposed to a vast amount of syllabus, new medical terminologies, several exams and assignments, and a requirement for an in-depth understanding of the human body. A change in lifestyle to lengthy working hours, endless study sessions, compromising on sleep, and relying on caffeinated or other energy drinks during exam season are all necessary to keep up with the increase in workload. Undoubtedly, it takes some time to adjust to the new lifestyle, but as time goes on, familiarity with the subject grows, making things more enjoyable and easier.
Surrounded by so many overachievers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s crucial to recognize how far you’ve come since you started during these periods of self-doubt since they force you to reevaluate your decisions in life and sometimes leave you feeling like you’re not doing enough.
Ultimately, despite the challenges that medical school presents, it becomes simpler to get through with a solid support system and a specific focus and objective in mind.
Noha Khizarali Hashmi
4th year Medical Student,
RAK Medical and Health Science University
