The prospect of taking taking a vacation as a doctor in the current economic climate is daunting, however to avoid physician burnout, it is advisable to do take time at least once or twice a year.

When taking a vacation as a doctor, it comes down to knowing to the realities of the profession. Planning ahead is needed, as well as the willingness to let go.

To assist with this, here are 5 helpful tips for taking a vacation as a doctor:

1. Start with small breaks

It can take a few years before a doctor is able to plan a big trip away, but that doesn’t they can’t take a vacation. Instead of aiming for two weeks off, starting small and taking a long weekend once a month or  every other week is a good start. Also, taking trips that keep you in the same time zone (or near to it) are advisable for the first few times you are away.

2. Call in Reinforcements

Some doctors fear that by calling in another physician to cover them, that some patients will leave their care. The reality of that happening is small, but it does depend upon the relationship between the doctor and patient.

Patients will understand that you need to go on vacation from time to time, and if the office sends out notices informing them ahead of time, they are then prepared for the change. –and he has developed a kind of “informal cross-coverage” with the other GI specialist in town.

In terms of the best person to choose to manage your patients while you are away, it is advisable to look for someone who matches your particular practice, your patients, and your personality.

3. Establish Boundaries with Patients

In the world we live in today, it is very easy to feel like you must be available 24/7 for your patients and your team. The truth is nobody can manage to be constantly available, so there is a need to set boundaries with your patients. Implementing this rule will vary, depending on what branch of medicine you practice and your personality.

As technology advances, it can seem there’s no place that you’re completely out of contact with the world. As a medical professional, you’ve got to decide: how and when are you willing to be unavailable for someone’s inevitable emergency?

4. Plan for the Financial Impact

When planning to take a trip, it is important to factor in the cost of the trip, but also the loss in income while you’re away. The cost of paying your staff and ongoing practice expenses in your absence will still b there. There is also an increased chance of things being slow to pick up again once you return.

This comes down to knowing your numbers as a professional. Keep close tabs on your daily, weekly and monthly revenue so you can track it against expenses, both fixed and variable. Doing this will let you know what to expect in downturn if you are away for an extra day or a week.

5. Unplug Yourself

The final tip may actually prove to be the most difficult. As a doctor, if you really want to get away from it all and relax, at some you’re going to have to be at least partially disconnected from technology when on vacation.

You can work with your team to create policies for yourself on how often and under what circumstances you’ll stay connected. For example, you might commit to checking email and voicemail only in the mornings once a day, and responding to questions for 30 minutes. It is also advisable to tell your staff (or patients) to text you only in the case of an emergency that you’ll be capable of addressing long-distance. This will pass back responsibility to them, and allow you some reprieve so you aren’t stuck in ‘doctor mode’ while lying on a beach.

Remember that taking a vacation as a doctor is a time to let go, and not ‘be a doctor’ for a while, so make sure to do it the best that you can.