Opinion

Physicians aren't what they used to be -- neither is a life in medicine

LETTER — Posted March 22, 2004

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Regarding "Younger doctors less dedicated, hardworking?" (Article, Feb. 2): If young doctors are, in fact, less dedicated and hardworking, let me propose a few reasons why this might be the case.

As a young doctor about to enter practice, I am not naïve to the reality that the golden era of medicine is over. Much of what made internal medicine enjoyable has been lost.

In training, there are fewer positive role models, less time for and interest in teaching, and more testing/licensing hoops to jump through.

As we enter practice, deeply in debt from our medical school loans, we inherit a medical system in shambles.

Reimbursement is low.

Autonomy is low.

Job satisfaction is low due to ever-increasing levels of bureaucracy.

Rewarding, long-term doctor-patient relationships are a rarity now that patients must frequently change doctors as mandated by their health plans.

Amid this, we also see many older doctors with failed personal lives. I have a friend who delivered more than 6,000 babies during an esteemed career as an ob-gyn, only to have his marriage end in divorce and his children grow up resenting him because he was never around for them.

For those fortunate enough to sustain a healthy family life, it is likely that they had a stay-at-home spouse who managed the family affairs, allowing them to focus solely on their careers.

Such arrangements are rare these days; more participation in family matters is expected from doctors, both male and female.

This does not preclude a fulfilling career in medicine; we simply need to harmonize the realities of practicing medicine with our other obligations in life.

This is achieved through balance. We are looking for role models.

David Liljenquist, MD, Chicago

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/03/22/edlt0322.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn