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Can doctors have family?

By Sarah Smith

Physicians are not supposed to treat family members, as specified in the AMA Code of Medical Ethics, but the essays reveal a more nuanced reality. In some cases, a physician is a family member’s primary caregiver. In other cases, a physician abdicates his or her professional role completely to fulfill a familial one.

Is it possible to be a doctor and a mom?

Can You Be a Doctor and a Mom? Yes! Having a family and wanting to stay home doesn’t mean the end of your medical career. Modern technology allows you the flexibility to work from home if you desire and still see patients.

Can you prescribe antibiotics for family?

Despite these concerns, it is entirely appropriate for physicians to prescribe for family members, provided that several conditions are met. First, the ailment should be within the physician’s scope of expertise.

Can I go to med school and have kids?

The reality is that women enter medical school and residency every year and have kids. It’s a wonderful biological process, having babies. It’s natural, and you don’t need to put it on hold unless you want to.

Can I self prescribe antibiotics?

Under federal law, physicians in the United States are not prohibited from self-prescribing medications. State laws governing physicians, however, vary greatly, and some may prohibit physicians from prescribing, dispensing, or administering certain medications to themselves or family members.

Can I write prescriptions for my family?

Commonwealth, NSW, Queensland, Tasmanian and South Australian laws do not appear to prohibit self-prescribing, prescribing for family or for a third party. Doctors practising in Victoria cannot prescribe any S4 or S8 medicines for themselves or for a third party.

Is it okay to get pregnant during residency?

Expecting women to delay pregnancy until after medical school and residency — which can take more than eight years — isn’t reasonable or moral, given the increased risk of infertility and pregnancy complications among older women. But as a community, academic medicine needs to do more to support resident parents.