Achieving Work-Life Balance in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery is a specialty of tradition, primarily because of patient quality and safety issues. Although cardiothoracic surgeons tend to have type A personalities and are uniquely dedicated to their roles as clinicians, teachers, and researchers, there is a growing need for surgeons to recognize and achieve work-life balance. Four cardiothoracic surgeons discuss what work-life balance means to them, how to separate professional and personal fulfillment, and how to attract talented medical students into the specialty. Douglas E. Wood, MD – University of Washington, Seattle (@UW) Fawwaz R. Shaw, MD – University of Washington, Seattle (@UW) Emily A. Farkas, MD – San Francisco, CA Nahush Mokadam, MD – University of Washington, Seattle (@UW)