A post I forwarded to the Mothers in Medicine website:

Mothers in Medicine:

I need your help.

I am a new family practice physician.  Full-time, three years into my job, with a seven-month-old in tow.  New baby, new[er] job - life is exciting.

Or so it should be, I thought.  So when did I start disliking my job?!

Actually, I’ve always loved medicine and have been obsessed with “becoming a doctor” ever since I was in middle school.  I worked hard.  I volunteered (candy striper, baby!).  My dream became a reality.

I went into medicine because I wanted to do good.  It was a calling - not merely a job, not a money-making scheme (err.... entering primary care proves that one).  

Medical school presented its challenges - but there was always residency.  Residency presented its challenges - but there was always life after residency.  Now here I sit in the real world - and, quite frankly, I’m frustrated/disappointed/overwhelmed/[insert adjective here.]

I work for a large organization and I feel like I am on a hamster wheel, one patient after the next.  I don’t get a chance to go to the bathroom, yet alone eat lunch.  I can’t call patients myself, simply because I don’t have time.  Get ‘em in, get ‘em out - there is no triage, no discussion, it’s apparently all about the numbers.  

Really?  This is what I worked so hard for??  I am jaded (already).  I come home - exhausted - and spend an hour or two with my son.  Then back on the computer to continue working.  I fear I am not “present” enough for my son, because work is always on my mind -  there is always so much to do.

My question is - what other opportunities are out there?  I am particularly interested in public health, but do not hold an MPH.  On that note, while I would love to obtain an MPH, I already have a 2nd mortgage on my hands ( = my medical school loans) and fear adding to that debt. I had always been interested in/interviewed for community health centers, but didn’t bite - is that more satisfying?  Currently I am unable to work part-time as my husband is at home with my child, leaving me solely responsible for our income.   

As an aside, isn’t there something we, as physicians, can do to improve this as a whole?  Am I alone in how I feel?