To listen to an in-depth conversation on this topic with Dr. Rebecca Cisneros, hit the play button below:
When you think of a career in medicine, the idea of flexibility doesn’t usually come to mind. Physicians across all specialties often work long hours, even if they are in private practice. The pathway Dr. Rebecca Cisneros found desirable was a career as an OB hospitalist—starting with a side gig at Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) during her fellowship.
“OBHG’s schedule was just so flexible that I was able to create my own hours that really fit my schedule,” said Dr. Cisneros. “I have a four-year-old daughter who is very demanding of my time. Whenever I’m not working, I like to be home with her. It’s nice not to be tied to my cell phone or worried about being on call during my time off and having to answer phone calls from the hospital. My time off is my time off, so that was really appealing to me.”
Another attractive factor was the potential for living in different parts of the U.S. When Dr. Cisneros finished residency and decided to turn her side gig as an OB hospitalist into a full-time career, she lived in Arkansas. But, as time went on, she was open to new possibilities. OBHG’s nationwide network allowed her to stay with the organization when her family decided to move to Colorado.
“It was nice knowing that OBHG has hospital partnerships throughout the United States,” said Dr. Cisneros. “We could basically go wherever we wanted, and there was going to be a job available for me since I was already established with OBHG. That’s always good to know they can transfer you and you can still live in the area you want to live in.”
Continuity of care as an OB hospitalist
Ten or fifteen years ago, the role of an OB hospitalist was quite different. They primarily managed emergencies and “filled in” if a woman delivered in a facility where she did not have an established physician or midwife.
Today, OB hospitalists work closely with providers, nurses, and other staff as part of a holistic care team. Instead of meeting mothers-to-be for the first time, OB hospitalists often form relationships with patients from the time they learn they’re pregnant right up to (and after) delivery. OB hospitalists also now serve an essential role as the maternal safety champion of the entire labor and delivery unit.
Continuity of care is very important to Dr. Cisneros. She also values the relationships she has with the care team and the collaborative nature of care delivery. “I see patients from positive pregnancy tests, all the way to full-term gestation. I often see patients again and again in the obstetrics emergency room and get to develop a relationship with them. So there is a lot of continuity. A few patients, I’ve even delivered them a couple of times.”
Balanced lifestyle
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people in all industries began to place more emphasis on balance. This attitude even sparked a movement, “The Great Resignation.” Dr. Cisneros was thankful she already had this balance in her life. Many of her colleagues from residency, unfortunately, cannot say the same.
“We’re only two or three years out of residency. I graduated in 2019 and half of them are already burnt out. They’ve had a couple of kids since residency and their job is just really straining their family and their personal life. I always tell them, ‘Hey, consider OBHG because it’s a lot less stressful. And you’re still fulfilled. You’re still doing OB/GYN, you’re still delivering patients, and you’re doing what you were trained to do. But, you’re also having that balance with life and getting to enjoy your family.’”
Dr. Cisneros’ position at OBHG also means she doesn’t have to take her work home with her, unlike many of her residency colleagues. It’s not surprising this is a significant benefit, considering all the time typically required for tasks such as patient follow-up, documentation, and lab results.
“It’s just a lot of time outside of work that you’re putting into your job and you’re sacrificing. OBHG is not like that. It’s great. If I wanted to take an entire month off to go on a vacation or a cross-country camping trip with my family, I have the luxury to be able to do. And I don’t really have to ask for time off. If you want a better family life and you want your husband and kids to like you more, consider OBHG.”
Listen to the full podcast “Life as an early career OB/GYN hospitalist” here.
Are you ready to launch your career directly out of residency?
OBHG is always interested in talking with early career physicians who want to shape the future of the OB/GYN specialty – improving processes and transforming care. If you’re ready to learn more about launching your career directly out of residency, contact one of our clinical recruiters at [email protected] or visit our residents’ webpage here.