Part-time doctors: reduced working hours for primary care physicians

Women are entering the professional workforce in increasing numbers, and male professionals are more likely than ever to be involved in dual-career families. For primary care physicians the traditional 50-70-hour work week increasingly creates conflict between professional and other personal goals. Many believe that unless physicians work these long hours they will be unable to successfully provide personal, high-quality continuing care to their patients. Long-term career development for physicians who choose nontraditional arrangements has also presented problems. The authors review the literature on part-time work for physicians, then discuss their experiences as part-time family physicians at an academic health center. Various specific strategies are recommended for physicians and institutions considering part-time employment.