FAMILY & SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

Family is important and SCNM understands that entering medical school is often a decision shared by not only the applicant but also by his/her family. This page is dedicated to family members and significant others of applying and matriculated SCNM medical students.

As over 70% of our students relocate from out of state, a spouse or significant other is also relocating. For the student, he/she is welcomed into a new class with Orientation activities, new student exercises and ceremonies abound. Here are a few resources for spouses and family members of SCNM students.

Interview Day

On prospective student interview days, family members, friends and significant others are invited to join the group for much of the day’s activities including a trip to the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center, a welcome from the SCNM President, presentations on Financial Aid and SCNM Career Services, and also participate in the Friends and Family Question and Answer panel discussion. This panel discussion allows friends and family members of applying students to ask questions of current students about their experiences and tips for supporting an incoming student.

SCNM Spouse and Significant Others Forum (SSOF)

SCNM offers a support forum for the spouses and significant others of medical students. The Spouse and Significant Others Forum (SSOF) is an online group through MySCNM where spouses and significant others are free to talk about issues surrounding relationships involving medical students. The usual topics revolve around time issues, long distance relationships, and dealing with "being on the outside", so to speak.

Being in a relationship with someone who has a demanding academic schedule is challenging and that relationship will require a lot of hard work, support, and understanding. Being able to forgive and work things through will go a long way.

Sign up for SSOF through the Admissions Office at 480.858.9100.

SCNM Family BBQ

SCNM new students and family members are our guests at the annual SCNM Family BBQ. We are excited to offer this opportunity for spouses, significant others and friends to meet other incoming students and their friends and families.

Recommended Reading

Intimate Relationships in Medical School: How to Make Them Work (Surviving Medical School Series)
by Michael F. Myers
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc (June 21, 2000)
Intimate Relationships in Medical School is for anyone studying the medical sciences who is married or in a committed relationship. Michael Myers-an experienced psychiatrist and clinician- uses several case examples throughout the book which are composites from his practice. Through these and the author's suggestions and insights, the busy, committed medical student and his or her partner will increase their ability to confront and resolve misunderstandings.

Doctors' Marriages: A Look at the Problems and Their Solutions
by Michael F. Myers
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (April 30, 1994)
Responding to demographic changes among physicians and six years of new experiences since the first edition, Dr. Myers has revamped his well received work. He includes new information on older physicians, gay and lesbian physicians, medical student abuse, economic strain on interns, depression, malpractice, ethical violations, and other stressors which may cause marital difficulties. Therapists seeking to council symptomatic physicians, as well physicians themselves, will find this a humane, readable, and useful book.

Survival Skills for Doctors And Their Families
By Kay Mohanna & Steph Chambers
Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Radcliffe Medical PR; 1 edition (June 2003)
Including not just medics but their families as well, this volume aims to provide information on how to minimize the effects of a medical career on family members. It offers practical support and ideas on how to cope with stresses directly suffered or passed on from their relative or spouse. It is written in a clear and practical style using information collated from family members describing their feelings about having a doctor in the family.

Tips:  Preparing for medical school at SCNM

Whether you are a spouse, significant other, family member of an incoming student, or are entering medical school yourself, prepare for the stresses of a medical program by carefully anticipating the challenges that come with entering medical school:

• Find feasible and cost economic living space;
• Write out an estimated budget and stick to it;
• Learn how to effectively budget and manage your time breaking all large projects into smaller ones. Make a list of tasks to do each day and check them off as you complete them;
• Seek supportive friends and colleagues;
• Continue to do the non-academic activities you enjoy such as hiking, camping, or attending sporting or cultural events;
• Take periodic breaks from College and academic work. These will increase your overall productivity;
• Keep the lines of communication open between you and your family or significant other. Talk about your frustrations with peers or students and don't let academic frustrations take control of your whole life.

When frustration mounts, keep in mind that there is life outside your schooling. Find your balance.