|
Science Friday > Archives > 2003 > February
>
February 7, 2003:
Hour Two: Why Be
A Doctor?
Are the days of the family doctors pictured in Norman Rockwell art
a thing of the past? This week, thousands of New Jersey doctors walked
off the job to protest rising rates for malpractice insurance. Similar
actions are being planned in other parts of the country.
It's not just the malpractice insurance -- some doctors say they
feel under increased pressure from outside forces such as their patients'
insurance companies and HMO's. In a recent study, doctors reported
that maintaining clinical autonomy was more important to them than
how much money they made. In this hour, we'll talk with doctors about
how satisfied they are with their jobs. Is it still a good time to
become a doctor?
Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share
your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required)
Guests:
David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P.
Director,
Institute for Health Policy
The Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners
HealthCare System
Professor, Medicine and Professor, Health Care Policy
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
Jamie Weisman, M.D.
Author,
"As I Live and Breathe: Notes of a Patient-Doctor" (North Point
Press, 2002) Private Practice Dermotologist
Austell, Georgia
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
TASK
FORCE FINDS TRAINING AT THE NATION'S MEDICAL SCHOOLS IS UNEVEN; CALLS
FOR IMPROVEMENT IN COST AND QUALITY OF PHYSICIAN EDUCATION - press
release 05/15/2002
Changes
in Career Satisfaction Among Primary Care and Specialist Physicians,
1997-2001
Wide
Variation In Physician Career Satisfaction
Center
for Studying Health System Change
This segment produced by Karin
Vergoth
|