I will only work from 2.00 to 5.00...

Authors

Ian G. Wilson, University of WollongongFollow
David Harding, University of Western Sydney

RIS ID

64026

Publication Details

Wilson, I. G. & Harding, D. (2009). I will only work from 2.00 to 5.00.... Medical Education, 43 (5), 394-395.

Abstract

A few years ago a colleague, Mike, was interviewing a young family doctor, Bob, who wanted to work on a part-time basis in the family practice run byMike. Mike wanted a fulltime partner prepared to undertake home visits and after-hours consulting. The young doctor, Bob, was about to commence a diploma in creative writing and only wanted to work on a part-time basis. Because of the shortage of family doctors in the region, Mike agreed to explore the part-time options. The interview seemed to be going well until Mike registered that Bob wanted to finish work at exactly 5.00 pm on Wednesdays. Mike then asked Bob what he would do if he reached 5.00 pm and he had not seen two of his booked patients. Bob responded, ‘I will only work from 2.00 to 5.00 and someone else will have to see the remaining patients. I need to be at my class at 6.00.’ The interview ended in acrimony.