Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been searching online for answers about worklife of all medical specialties and cannot find straight answers.  How many hours does an anesthesiologist work in a week, and how much vacation do they earn?  I am pre-med and entering school this fall, and have recently considered taking up podiatry instead because I know that I am a person who needs to work less than 50 hours a week for a career, no matter how much I love what I do.  Also I'm assuming more work hours=more pay, is this correct?

ANSWER: If you need less than 50 hr/wk then medicine is not for you. While you might be able to control your hours once you are in practice, during residency you will consistantly work 80 hr/wk. That is still better than my training days where I worked 120 hr/wk. In general more hrs equals more pay but if your looking for a profession based on income and hours, medicine is not the best choice.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I realize residency is an 80hr work week.  This is a temporary (3~7yrs) position.  I am curious to life after that during my career.

Answer
Again it depends on what type of practice you want. If you go into an ambulatory center, your hours will be good but the cases may be boring. If you go into private practice, your hours may be worse but you compensation will be better, etc.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston