The Gateway to Your Orthopaedic Career.
  Tuesday, 25 May 2004
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I've only completed one year of medical school but it seems that when I talk to my classmates about specialities, one word always comes up......lifestyle. So I've asked a few of the ortho docs that I've shadowed about this word but can't really get a straight answer from them (that is....they all say they would like to spend more time with their families but in the same breath tell me that it is up to them how much they want to work/take call).
SO I AM JUST CURIOUS.......WHAT IS THE LIFESTYLE LIKE FOR A COMMUNITY ORTHOPOD IN TERMS OF HRS/WK AND CALL/WK?
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
22 years ago
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#48847
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A search on "lifestyle" would have provided your answer.

Here is a re-post of what I have said earlier

You can work as little or as hard as you want. If you want details you need to talk to multiple ortho docs in varying practice environments.

For myself, starting my third year of practice, I work a four day week. Two full days in the office and two full days in the OR. I go in around 7:15 am and on clinic days I am home by 5:30 and on OR days I am usually home by 4:00 pm. So roughly, I work about 40 hours each week, but you must also add the four days of month of call I take which adds a few hours in there. So probably no more than 45-50 hours per week, unless I have a weekend of call. Now I practice where reimbursement is still fairly good, except Medicare, so we don't work as hard as docs in other areas of the country. I also chose my practice knowing that I would have a full day off every week. Many of my friends do not, so their hours are probably more. Also, my friends who practice where reimbursement is lower tend to work alot more hours, running longer clinics to make the same amount of money.

Call schedules are extremely variable from group to group. It depends upon how big the group is, how many take call, and how many hospitals you cover. Call also depends upon the trauma level your hospital receives.

The question comes down to how much money do you want to make? The more you work, the more you get paid in most practices. If you want to make more than $500,000/yr, you're going to need to work everyday of the week and log in long days. If you are happier with $350,000 then you'll be home for dinner every night and may even have a day off every week. So as I said before, it is what you make of it. There is a job out there for everyone's lifestyle. You just have to pick the group right that allows you to practice and to work as hard or as little as you like.
22 years ago
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#48848
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Would it be prying too much if we asked where in that 350K to 500K range you fall ?
Without any specifics of course, just curious...

JRT
22 years ago
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#48849
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I would say that I am on the upper portion of the bell shaped curve. Fortunately, with lower malpractice rates and better reimbursement, we still fare pretty well in Iowa.
22 years ago
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#48850
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Orthodoc,

Are there other parts of the country with reimbursement conditions like Iowa? It sounds like that kind of environment would be a great place to work. How could i go about finding info on this topic?

--BF
22 years ago
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#48851
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I'm not sure there are any specific resources available. Most of the heavy farming states are probably similiar as well as the upper Rocky Mountain states and the Dakotas. However, you have to prioritize what you want out of life. Will you be happy making more money in a town were there is nothing to do or less money in a bigger city with hundreds of things to do. Or will you be too busy in the big city to even enjoy it. So many things to consider when selecting a job. Probably the number one factor will be if your spouse likes the location.
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