Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/20/2008

Question
Hi Dr. Levy. I am thinking of becoming an Anesthesiologist when I am older. But the thing is, I would also love time to spend time with the family and kids and have read that family time is very difficult when you are an anesthesiologists. But, I have read in one of your answers that it all depends on your practice or something like that. I would just like to know what you mean by that and what different practices of anesthesiology there are?

Answer
Any field of medicine will require some sacrifice of time. Anesthesia is probably in the middle (surgery the worst, dermatology the best). Depending on whether you night night call, work late hours, work in a small private practice vs a teaching hospital, all affect your quality of life and the income you make. Yes you can have a family and have quality time with them, but probably at some sacrifice of income.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston