Doctors

[Guest guest]

I feel I must respond to some of the remarks and complaints about

physicians just to give you a little insight from the other side.

My son is a physician, specializing in gastroenterology. He is married

to a physician, an internal medicine specialist. They met in medical

school.

My son attended college on scholarships and money he received from us

and that which he earned from tutoring jobs, summer work, and work study

at school. Then he was accepted to medical school. He borrowed money, we

sold our home, he worked odd jobs, drove an old car, all to pay for

school. I can't begin to tell you how hard he studied and the time he

put into the work. He made it through med school. He then spent 3 years

as a low paid resident, and 3 more years in a fellowship program to

become a gastroenterologist. So that is 4 yrs in college, 4 yrs in med

school, plus 6 yrs. That is 14 yrs of education before he really began

to make some money. In other professions 10 yrs beyond college would put

one high on a payscale and toward retirement. His books cost thousands.

He works long hours, gets calls at all times and places, and worries

about patients. Medicine is not a job, it is a life. Everything he does,

everywhere he goes revolves around his patients. He has to plan for his

children and his retirement. He has to pay for insurance, office

expenses, staff, equipment, etc. He deserves to drive a Mercedes, but it

won't happen for many years.

I know sometimes we feel we are brushed off and that doctors are rich

and happy because we pay them so much money. Think about what it took

for them to get there. The little time they have with their families. It

is not the way it seems. At least not for some. I know it wasn't like

this for all doctors but for many it was, I'm sure. They are not gods

but they do deserve our respect. Ask them how " they " feel sometimes and

show concern for them. You are a major part of their lives.

Sorry, had to vent.

Sheila