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

Derek G Puddester
Med J Aust 2004; 181 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb06342.x
Published online: 4 October 2004

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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