Social Scientist Ruth Diaz went on her first date with a medical resident on his only day off that month. As they wandered through a garden in Portland, Oregon, there was a comfortable familiarity between them, and that feeling soon blossomed into love.

Over the course of several months, however, things deteriorated. Missed holidays, communication breakdowns, cold dinners. Their relationship ended in less than a year.

Packed schedules, along with physical and mental exhaustion, can make it difficult for residents to maintain any personal life. So when it comes to romantic relationships, attempting to be physically present with partners, let alone emotionally present, can be daunting. While some couples manage to navigate these issues, frequently the demands of residency end up wreaking h

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