sahm-doc, the short answer is that if you stop working altogether, it will be much harder to go back later. Here are the reasons I can think of: 1) re-entry is not a well-defined process and it is harder to find a job after a hiatus; 2) your family will become accustomed to you doing *everything* for them and will be resistant to your going back to work; 3) as you step down the career ladder, your husband will be better able to step up the career ladder, the salary discrepancy will become even greater, and you become the obvious one who has to sacrifice her career (which has already happened); and 4) the longer you are out, the more confidence you will lose in your ability to practice medicine.

Unless you know for sure that you never want to work as a doctor again, it is much better professionally to keep your foot in the door and keep working part-time. Maybe there is some way to adjust your practice so that your concerns above are addressed (why aren't those mid-levels being supervised?). If you do quit and decide later to go back, it can still be done, but it is just harder.

Good luck!

thank you for the advice!!! all good points for me to consider. yes i think all the providers are having a problem with the mid-levels and since i just joined the practice it took me a little while to figure out that they don't necessarily do a great job. it definitely needs to be addressed and i guess i felt kind of embarrassed bringing it up because i work the least number of hours. i really shouldn't care what other people think though!

btw,this website is amazing. my physician husband tries to be so supportive and understanding but i felt he just didn't 'get it' like other physician mothers would. i'm so glad i found this site!

Hi!
I owned my own practice AND transitioned to semi-part-time (25-30 weekly hours) for 2-3 years. That was the best move that I made in my practice career.

I did an overhaul of my administrative procedures and streamlined the communications and front desk operations, and hired some additional admin support in India.

My patient load actually increased after I made these changes because the service, support and communications improved once I wasn't working 60 hours each week.

The main challenge is meeting overheads when you own the practice AND work semi-part time. I sold my practice and am a professional medical writer now. When I return to private practice, I'll probably look to practice with 1 or 2 other women who are all part time. That way, we feel an equal sense of partnership and responsibility, and share similar priorities.

Hope this helps!
Devi
www.prescribinginformation.com

It really depends on your specialty. If you're in family medicine or pediatrics, you'll probably find it easier to recruit other part-time physicians so that you can split shifts.

Working part-time certainly has it's challenges, especially when you need to pay for child-care and carry your own malpractice insurance. I am taking a break from private practice as a medical writer, but when I started my own business and was able to work part time hours after some time, I was much happier. My profits were a bit less but I was ever so much happier! So I encourage you to look for and see all of your positives! The change in focus may help you to feel better and open you up to seeing even greater possibilities.

-Devi

hi lisaFP,
of the few posts i've come across this (excellent) website yours stick out to me because i feel i'm on the same track as you in terms of finding happiness in perhaps going from part time primary care to 1 urgent care day a week.

i'm very unhappy in primary care for so many reasons. i thought cutting back to 3 days per week would make me happier but it's not. i prefer quick "sick" visits over continuity etc. my kids are toddlers and i envision i'll want to be around them more not less when they are school age. i prefer to make the move to urgent care now rather than later if i think it'll improve my overall mental health! wages don't concern me because i make nothing working part-time as it is. the only reason i don't quit all together is because
a) it's the only "me" time i get in a week and i believe it forces my husband to split house/child care duties with me because i "work"
b) i'd hate to not use my MD at all after all my hard work and c) just want to keep a foot in the door in case i want to work more when older

any drawbacks to your move to 1 day a week urgent care? i'm a pediatrician and finding that type of gig may be harder but if you are truly happier in your situation working 1 day a week with more time/energy for your 3 kids then i'm totally looking into it!

I am trying to get a job part-time because we need the money (I have been out of work for a little over a year now and have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old), and not because I want to go back to work. Bottom-line I used to work like a dog and am now trying to get part-time outpatient only but negotiating with hospitals to make it far pay is very confusing. Anyone out there have any experience with RVU pay scale? Feel free to PM me to discuss even more candidly!