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“Always be mindful of your mental health. Never work until exhaustion. There will always be jobs available in medicine. If you need time off, trust your body to give it rest”.
This was said recently by Dr. Chithera Arumugananthan, in a conversation discussing work-life balance and the benefits that working as a locum doctor can have.
There is no doubt that COVID changed the way the world works, but has the recent pandemic opened new doors and opportunities for work-life balance which we didn’t have before? Let’s explore.
Table of Contents
Personal Life
There has been a distinct mindset shift for those who worked in healthcare settings during the pandemic. They have been up close with the impact that COVID has had, not only on everyone’s physical health but also on the country’s mental health over the past few years.
Doctors in Australia have endured a strain on their personal and their professional lives, as they have balanced looking after their family and their patients ― with their mental health and work-life balance taking a back seat.
More and more doctors are choosing to prioritise their personal life and family circumstances over their careers, which has meant we have seen a rise in locum doctor applications. A recent survey showed that 57% of doctors have said they would take a pay decrease to achieve a greater work-life balance ratio.
While work-life balance and mental health were important prior to the pandemic, now more than ever doctors are choosing their personal lives over their careers due to what some are calling, an unexpected wake-up call.
Working Hours
Our locum doctors say one of their main reasons for choosing to become a locum doctor is due to the flexible working schedule. After working non-stop for years during the pandemic, doctors are prioritising their well-being and acknowledging that this means having the ability to decide when and where they want to work.
A balanced lifestyle means different things to different people, but COVID has certainly changed the way we work and the way we are choosing how long to work for. Locum doctors don’t have a strict roster and are able to choose their working patterns. It’s no wonder COVID pushed people to consider how they are spending their time.
Patty McCord in this TED Talk discusses the lessons the pandemic has taught us, and is one of the most watched videos relating to how COVID has changed the way we work. It’s only 7 minutes so come back here at the end of this article to explore further!
Staying Healthy
You may be thinking that doctors are the symbol of healthy living. But when you consider that they are known to skip lunch, work long hours, ignore signs of burnout, and “never have time to fill up their water bottle”, is there any wonder that the health of doctors during COVID deteriorated quickly as their hours at work and stress increased?
One thing is for sure. COVID was a significant turning point for doctors in how they manage their physical and mental health, and how they do so while working in a highly pressured environment.
In Australia, there has been a rise in c health initiatives and assessments, in order to improve the overall well-being of doctors to enable them to work effectively. Put simply, we are beginning to invest in the health of our doctors and acknowledging the various needs of different individuals.
Click here to read five ways to keep your body and mind healthy as a full-time doctor!
Final Thoughts
At Medic Oncall, our first priority is the health of the doctors we place. From mental health for doctors to physical fitness, it’s enormously important to us that each of our doctors remains active and happy so that they’re always in tip-top shape on the job.
If you’re looking for a placement service that keeps your work-life balance at the core of its philosophy, you’ve found the right place. Contact us to learn more about what we do today!
Experience the Medic Oncall benefits first-hand.
Medic Oncall is a leading recruitment agency, a sister company to Healthcare Australia providing solutions to healthcare facilities and doctors across Australia. With over decades of experience, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you find the perfect locum or permanent job.
If you’re interested in finding out more about what we can offer you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
