Opinion
"Primary care physicians do not have a corner on the market of altruism"
LETTER — Posted Jan. 7, 2008
Regarding "What will the test of time reveal about what really matters to those seeking medical career?" (Letters, Nov. 26, 2007): In his letter, Edward J. Volpintesta, MD, of Bethel, Conn., discusses a previous article, "Record number vied for 2007-08 medical school slots" (Article, Nov. 5, 2007), which talked about possible motivations for medical school applicants, including a "soft economy" and "altruism."
He states, "The real test of this would be to do a retrospective study in about 10 years and see how many of these altruistic-minded medical students settled on low-paying primary care careers and how many chose high-paying specialties."
I disagree with this. This implies that those who choose not to go into a primary care field do so because of the potential for more compensation [elsewhere] and a lack of altruism.
Primary care physicians do not have a corner on the market of altruism. I think the vast majority of all physicians went into medicine because of a desire to help others. Certainly, there are unfortunate exceptions, but they are scattered in all fields, not just in the "high-paying specialties."
Anyone with any sense knows that there are much easier, faster and better ways to make money rather than being in training for seven to 11 or more years and working 80 hours a week when you are done. Being the CEO of an insurance company comes to mind.
Jeff Womble, MD, Craig, Colo.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/01/07/edlt0107.htm.
