Opinion
Show of hands suggests why to expect a physician shortage
LETTER — Posted Jan. 26, 2004
Regarding "Physician shortage predicted to spread" (Article, Jan. 5): I was at a medical conference recently and the room was filled with doctors sitting at round tables. Each table seated 10 doctors.
One of the physicians spoke up and asked, "How many of you have college-age kids?" Everyone's hand went up. "Now, how many of you have talked your kids out of going to medical school?" All but one hand went up.
I can sum up my feelings by saying that years ago organized crime was called the Mafia. Now it goes by the names "Medicare, Medicaid, HMO."
Marcus C. Roberts, MD, Tifton, Ga.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/01/26/edlt0126.htm.