Too many times I hear that when you choose medicine, you practically marry it at first site! And when it comes to personal relationships of your heart, it's completely doomed or is it? Most of us choose medicine because of our calling, a calling to serve those who need it the most. By sacrificing our time in our late 20s to early 30s to perfect our craft and boom, it's time to make plans for the rest of our lives. I hear a lot of complaining from medical students and residents that they don't have enough time to spend with their family or loved ones, because medicine is practically our husbands and wives, days and nights and even a breath that it takes to save a life.

I noticed, that most of the medical professionals are choosing partners that truly understand their lifestyle. And it's true, not every person can put up with you being absent during major holidays, when everyone is at the table celebrating and only you are missing, or when you have to spend 3 days in a raw with complicated cases, then another 2 nights on call for Neurological ICU for example. I once made a remark to my friend that dating a doctor is like dating a superstar, our schedule is hectic, and you never see us, but when we have that valuable time available, it's in no way to be wasted but at the same time - it has to be some relaxation involved because you don't want to overburn yourself and then get back to the shift unrested, making mistakes. It might sound a little selfish, especially if you have a partner who is into an active lifestyle, but there has to be a huge consideration!

Being a medical professional is a very rewarding, yet, demanding profession. Not every person can understand, relate or even sympathize, as you know medicine is not for everyone, and so is your lifestyle. You need to carefully prioritize your personal life, your choices and event book the calendar to see your family.  But does it even matter if you are a doctor or not to be with a medical professional? One of my professors strongly disagreed with dating another medical professional, he told us it's better not to come back home discussing another medical case but rather focus on building a relationship instead. Maybe a point, but again it's a matter of your preference at the end of the day. I've seen happy medical as well as non-medical couples and they are doing pretty fine, by understanding each other and accommodating when need it.

If a medical professional can't date a superstar with the same busy schedule, will it work? Successful surgeons for example, have the highest divorce rates in the country and I wonder why? The dedication to the craft can't be overlooked, you worked so hard for it, and for the rest of your life - you are a medical student (pun intended here). There is no stop sign with medicine once you are committed, until the last heartbeat in your body you are in it to win it or at least be close to perfect!

Medicos are great people, and we truly enjoy spending every valuable time we have with our loved ones most doctors are great husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends because once we are with you it's like we have never seen you before and that magic butterfly-ish spark continues! The most important part of it all is to be able to balance work/life - even though it doesn't exist in medicine, somehow making someone's day even by bringing a quick smile to their face can turn around the worst day of your life! Love and relationship are important and must be cherished every step of the way, especially with people in demanding field as medicine.

Either way, we are not at fault for who we love, but we certainly have a choice, so what choice would it be? Would you date another medical professional/doctor or not?