Staying human in the medical family:  the unique role of doctor-parents

Puddester, Derek G

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb06342.x

Topics

Issues confronting doctor-parents include the impact of parenting on career choice, special challenges faced by women doctor-parents, leave entitlements, and the unique strengths and challenges of two-doctor families. Experience from one Canadian doctors’ health program suggests that unique themes include communication within doctor-families, insight into doctor-parent dynamics, the relationship between doctor-parents and their child’s doctor, and potential boundary crossings and violations within the doctor-family. The relationships between medical workforce sustainability, medical human resources, and issues related to doctor-parents need further consideration and analysis.*

Faculty Wellness Program, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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