Effective Time Management: Surgery, Research, Service, Travel, Fitness, and Family

Abstract

Over 1,500 years ago, the St. Benedictine Monks used planning and strict schedules to increase their productivity. Since then, surgeons have developed several different strategies to manage our time effectively. Finding a balance among career, family, and hobbies is essential for maintaining satisfaction and optimizing productivity. Several recurring themes throughout the medical literature offer potential solutions to help maximize the little time surgeons possess. In this article, we will explore some of the methods and strategies available to help surgeons minimize waste and make the most of the most precious commodity we have—our time.

Keywords

time management - career goals - productivity - efficiency

• References

• 1 Whitrow GJ. The Nature of Time. New York, NY: Holt; 1973
• 2 De Grazia S. Of Time, Work, and Leisure. New York, NY: Twentieth Century Fund; 1962
• 3 Lutz DJ. The time in your life: use it wisely. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010; 202 (3) 302-305
• 4 Schenck C. Sleep: The Mysteries, the Problems, and the Solutions. New York, NY: Avery; 2007
• 5 Silber LT. Time Management for the Creative Person. 1st ed. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press; 1998
• 6 Smith A, Engels F, Marx K. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations Book 1. Rockville, MD: Arc Manor; 2008
• 7 Taylor FW. The Principles of Scientific Management. New York and London: Harper & brothers; 1915
• 8 Smith A. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Dublin: Whitestone; 1776
• 9 Maddison A. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Development Centre. The world economy: historical statistics. Paris, France: Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; 2003
• 10 Franklin B. The way to wealth (1758). In: Sparks J, , ed. The Works of Benjamin Franklin. Boston, MA: 1836. 2 92-103
• 11 The Quotable Franklin. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/quotable/index.htm . Accessed November 13, 2012.
• 12 McCay JT. The Management of Time. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall; 1959
• 13 David Allen Company. www.davidco.com . Accessed November 6, 2012
• 14 Niccol A . In Time. Regency Enterprises 2011
• 15 Hershkowitz M. Time stresses in the lives of physicians. Med Health R I 2005; 88 (4) 133-134
• 16 Parkinson CN. Parkinson's Law, and Other Studies in Administration. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin; 1957
• 17 Vaccaro PJ. Time management tips that work. Fam Pract Manag 2002; 9 (3) 64
• 18 Brunicardi FC, Hobson FL. Time management: a review for physicians. J Natl Med Assoc 1996; 88 (9) 581-587
• 19 Davant III C. You can get home in time for dinner. Med Econ 2005; 82 (21) 76-78
• 20 Stillwagon DE. 10 tips to maximize your time. Med Econ 2010; 87 (17) 63
• 21 Vaccaro PJ. Protecting the time you've got. Fam Pract Manag 2001; 8 (7) 60
• 22 Anderson E. Have you tried these six time-savers?. Manag Care 1997; 6 (4) 86-92 , 92
• 23 Vaccaro P. Five ways to say 'no' effectively. Fam Pract Manag 1998; 5 (7) 71-72
• 24 Bartlett EE. Always running behind? Try these time-management tips. S Afr Med J 1999; 89 (11) 1144-1145
• 25 Lowes R. Successful practices do it now!. Med Econ 2007; 84 (7) 78-80 , 82, 84
• 26 Schrager SB. The problem with multitasking. Fam Pract Manag 2012; 19 (3) 40
• 27 Verhaeghen P, Cerella J. Aging, executive control, and attention: a review of meta-analyses. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2002; 26 (7) 849-857