Work/Life Balance: It Is Just Plain Hard.

Graduating surgeons are constantly told to be "available, affable, and able." Frequently, the need to put patients first can result in an imbalance between work and life. Ultimately, the consequence of work/life imbalance is burnout, which can manifest itself in atypical behavior toward patients, colleagues, and family. It is imperative that all surgeons learn to take care of themselves and develop a better integration of work and life.