Ep 140 Returning to the operating room with Dr. Jennifer Zakhireh

Summary

What happens if life gets in the way and you want to take a break from surgery. Dr. Zakhireh shares her experience of taking a clinical gap from her surgical practice for several years to care for her three young daughters, and her subsequent journey to re-enter her practice.

There were challenges and doubts she faced from her peers. She felt isolated, but also determined to make it work. Her determination helped her to return to her passion despite the lack of a clear pathway. She shares the strategies she employed, such as maintaining her medical knowledge, collaborating with an open-minded credentialing committee, and designing an individualized re-entry plan. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, relying on her core values, and having a supportive village during the process. Her experience highlights the need for more open-mindedness and empowerment within the surgical community to accommodate life events and prevent the loss of talented surgeons.

Suggestions if you want to take a gap from operating:
1. Maintain non-clinical obligations and medical knowledge during a clinical gap to ensure readiness for re-entry.
2. Collaborate with hospital credentialing committees and design an individualized re-entry plan that can be modified based on progress.
3. Work closely with mentors and colleagues to proctor cases and assess competency during the re-entry process.
4. Monitor outcomes, complication rates, and return to surgery rates, and remain open to peer assessment and feedback.
5. Speak kindly to oneself and trust one's judgment during the re-entry process, while also being open to seeking help when needed.
6. Explore all options, such as part-time work or reduced hours, before taking a significant clinical gap, if possible.
7. Rely on core values, life mission, and a supportive village to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of a clinical gap and re-entry.