RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Rural Women Family Physicians: Strategies for Successful Work-Life Balance
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 244
OP 251
DO 10.1370/afm.1931
VO 14
IS 3
A1 Julie Phillips
A1 Carol Hustedde
A1 Sarah Bjorkman
A1 Rupa Prasad
A1 Orlando Sola
A1 Andrea Wendling
A1 Kurt Bjorkman
A1 Heather Paladine
YR 2016
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/14/3/244.abstract
AB PURPOSE Women family physicians experience challenges in maintaining work-life balance while practicing in rural communities. We sought to better understand the personal and professional strategies that enable women in rural family medicine to balance work and personal demands and achieve long-term career satisfaction.METHODS Women family physicians practicing in rural communities in the United States were interviewed using a semistructured format. Interviews were recorded, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using an immersion and crystallization approach, followed by detailed coding of emergent themes.RESULTS The 25 participants described a set of strategies that facilitated successful work-life balance. First, they used reduced or flexible work hours to help achieve balance with personal roles. Second, many had supportive relationships with spouses and partners, parents, or other members of the community, which facilitated their ability to be readily available to their patients. Third, participants maintained clear boundaries around their work lives, which helped them to have adequate time for parenting, recreation, and rest.CONCLUSIONS Women family physicians can build successful careers in rural communities, but supportive employers, relationships, and patient approaches provide a foundation for this success. Educators, employers, communities, and policymakers can adapt their practices to help women family physicians thrive in rural communities.