Kasha, I’ve met dozens of surgeons in my life, and I don’t know any who work only 20 hours per week. Do you? If you do, for how many years did they work full-time plus before reaching that point? And how many hours did they learn weekly during their training? Also, how could you suggest a career in medicine given the “apikorsus and licentiousness” that you believe are endemic to college campuses?
Some career options for a physician looking for shorter hours would be to join a medium to large group practice (either in a private or hospital setting) or working as a hospitalist. The latter choice can give one a lot of lattitude in terms of choosing shifts and also avoids the issue of call. Compared to working as a hospitalist, working in a group practice generally requires that one work longer, less-defined hours and take call, but can be more lucrative.
Some of the physicians I know who are working mothers have husbands who work from home or have flexible hours and/or multiple childcare plans. Others have husbands who have more lucrative positions/ practices, so that the family does not rely largely on the mother’s income.
I believe that charliehall is a physician. Perhaps he could comment on the practicality of surgery as a part-time profession.