Breaking the Multitasking Myth: A Path to Peace for Women Physicians

Women physicians are in the habit of multitasking. From patient care to family responsibilities, it often feels like there's not enough time in the day. We've been conditioned to believe that multitasking is the key to success. As medical students, we wore our ability to multitask as a badge of pride. But what if I told you that it’s holding us back?

The data that we cannot focus on more than one thing at a time is not new, but my ingrained multitasking habits led me to ignore it for a while. It’s become such a big way of how I get things done that I plan to do it: when making my plans for the week, I see a lecture on my calendar and can’t help but think, “Attending that won’t need a lot of my brain space, I can clean out my email inbox then.” Reinforcing the skillset of multitasking by planning to do it means that it becomes a subconscious reflex. In an hour-long meeting? I feel my hand being pulled to my mouse to open a window on my browser - I might as well grade some medical student essays simultaneously, right?

It's probably unreasonable to say that multitasking isn’t necessary in medicine. In the PICU, I have to interpret a blood gas on one patient right when having to decide what to do with the pressors on another. We switch between patients, answer calls, check in with nurses, and write notes simultaneously. But the truth is, our brains aren't wired for true multitasking. We're simply moving rapidly among tasks (also known as context switching), and this constant changing comes at a cost.

Research shows that it takes an average of 20 minutes to regain focus after an interruption. Less easily measurable is the amount of mental energy it takes to get back on track, but just imagine the mental exhaustion caused by a day filled with constant interruptions. This is perhaps easier to notice when we’re doing deep work. You’re plugging along, writing the discussion on a manuscript, when somebody comes into your office for a quick conversation. When you turn your attention back to writing, it takes a while to re-orient yourself and then even more time to get back into the flow you had before you were interrupted. And that’s if you don’t use the interruption as an excuse to check email, get another cup of coffee, watch videos of puppies on Instagram, and all the other procrastinate-y things we do when our brains suggest we deserve a break. It's no wonder we feel burned out and overwhelmed.

The good news is we can break free from this cycle. By embracing single-tasking and prioritizing focus, we can reclaim our mental energy and find a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

Here are a few tips to get started:

• Stop planning to multitask: Instead of squeezing multiple tasks into a single time slot, dedicate your full attention to one task at a time. Disappointed in “how little” you accomplish during the day? Consider changing your thoughts about what’s actually a reasonable amount of work in a day. Or, adjust the time you’d spend doing the activities you’d typically multitask to free up time to get other things done. (Perhaps that hour-long meeting only needs to be thirty minutes?)

• Embrace discomfort: It might feel strange to focus on a single task while having the urge to switch, but stick with it. Notice how your concentration and productivity improve. If our habitual multitasking tendencies ever go away, it will take some time, so be compassionate with yourself along the way.

• Experiment and adjust: Find what works for you. Start with small changes and gradually increase your focus time. Even if focusing on a single task doesn’t work during your clinical time, doing it during your non-clinical time and outside of work can make a huge difference in your mental load.

• Celebrate progress: Acknowledge your efforts and the positive impact of single-tasking on your well-being.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Many women physicians are challenging the multitasking myth and discovering the power of focus. By prioritizing single-tasking, we can improve our mental clarity, reduce being overwhelmed, and maybe even lead more fulfilling lives. With that, I’m off to close some tabs on my browser and put my phone in Do Not Disturb.