The Chronicle

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
Last update: 11/9/07 at 8:47 AM EST

Media Credit: GLEN GUTTERSON Duke physicians said one of their challenges is balancing their time between doctoral and academic responsibilities.

Dr. Andra James began college as a math major, but switched to nursing so she could help people directly through her work. After 12 years as a nurse-midwife, she decided to go to medical school and is now an assistant professor obstetrics and gynecology at the Duke School of Medicine.

James is only one of hundreds of thousands of physicians in the United States, and despite the arduous journey and time commitment pursuing and practicing medicine entails, several doctors said they have no regrets about their decisions.

"I always feel like I am on duty in some way," James said. "I don't really have a personal life, but it must not have impacted my family very much. My daughter is a physician and my husband is incredibly supportive. He's an introvert and likes time to himself, and I give him plenty of it."

Dr. David Warner, a professor of anesthesiology, neurobiology and surgery, said he enjoys being an academic physician, but that it requires hard work and personal sacrifice.

"[The profession] is fast-paced. Anesthesiology requires constant vigilance," he said. "Things change so quickly so you really need to be clear-headed and ready for various possible things that can happen."

Warner, who has two children, added he was not at home often, but showed his children the value of hard work and helping others.

"You pretty much are continuously involved in your career whether you're running a laboratory or taking care of patients," he said. "It's a situation where you can raise your children by example, [rather] than by a high level of interaction."

Because of the increasing demands placed on doctors and liability issues, it has become harder for academic physicians to do everything they want to do, said Dr. Lee Wilke, assistant professor of surgery.

"Many years ago, academic physicians would teach, do research and care for patients," she said. "Now, many just try to do two out of the three."

Wilke added she has been able to dedicate herself to both her family and her profession.

"The time commitment is a downside, but I think I have a good balance," she said. "I have two children and a husband who works as well."

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