As a busy medical professional, you likely don't have time to waste being sick. Who does? Getting sick means giving your own patients less than your best performance, but it can also mean missing work at inopportune times. Fortunately, even if you're a medical professional, there are a few things you can do to prepare for emergencies that you might face.
Planning For the Worst
Make sure you plan for the worst outcome in any situation. When you plan for the worst, you'll be ready no matter what happens. It's important to plan for financial surprises and medical setbacks, as well as environmental emergencies that may be threatening your particular area. For example, if you suspect you may have flooding in your area, the time to start getting ready is now: not after the rain starts.
Childcare
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If you have kids, make sure you have a backup childcare provider in place. If you become sick or injured, or if a family member becomes injured, you will need to have someone who can assist with your children. Consider hiring an emergency nanny or even talking with neighbors you trust to arrange childcare preemptively in case something happens to go wrong.
Financial
Make sure you always set aside some extra cash for emergencies. While no one likes to think about the possibility of a financial setback, it's important to realize that preparing now can save you stress and frustration later on. Aim to set aside a certain portion of each paycheck so you can be prepared for your financial future.
Dental
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Whether you're a doctor, nurse, or EMT, dental emergencies can happen to you or your children. Often, these occur at inopportune and inconvenient times. Make sure you have the name of an emergency dentist on hand who can offer you treatment as soon as possible. You'll also want to keep your insurance information handy, as you may be eligible to receive coverage for dental emergencies when they occur.
While preparing for personal emergencies is never easy, it's vital that you take the time to prepare now before disaster strikes. Careful planning prior to a disaster occurring can make an incredible difference later on. When you prepare, you won't find yourself stressing out or scrambling to get the help or coverage you need. Instead, you'll be able to stay calm and collected because you already know exactly how you're going to handle each situation that's thrown at you.
One aspect of emergency preparation is having all the necessary equipment ready to grab and go, especially as a medical professional. For more ideas on where to start, check out this awesome site!
