From: labiche@crchh561.BNR.CA (Maurice LaBiche)
Subject: Re: Physician's Incomes
Reply-To: labiche@crchh561.BNR.CA (Maurice LaBiche)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 18:09:10 GMT

In article <BzHCq9.FFo@icon.rose.hp.com>, clw@hprnd.rose.hp.com (Carl
Wuebker) writes:
|>Devesh Bhatt states:
|>
|>> And I think that these computer industry jobs are equally demanding
(50+ hrs
|>> a week) as those of normal physicians, and probably more stressful
because of
|>> recent downsizings and daily changes in the technology and business
goals.  I
|>> have several friends with MD wives that work less, have much less
job stress,
|>> and earn much more than their husbands.
|>
|>     Bzzt.  I don't agree.  Comp Sci & EE types work to design & fix
*things*.
|>Physicians fix people.  When I make a mistake, the consequence is
usually time
|>(if I'm lucky, it doesn't cost much & takes a few hours to fix).  If, on the
|>other hand, a physician makes a mistake, it can cost a life (or perhaps the
|>quality of life) for somone.  I believe that the extra pay (and
limited medical
|>school slots, and careful screening after training) has a lot to do with the 
|>responsibility a physician bears for human life.
|>
|>     I don't have any illusions about physicians -- I know a few, they aren't
|>perfect.  But my friends do struggle with the "what ifs" a lot more than I 
|>do 

Maybe your not as detailed a programmer as many others.  Depending on the
type of system you work on/develop you have to handle real world 
system faults which could shut down the computer systems
that control the electrical power grids or the 911/telephone service 
in your town.  These are live systems relied on by the masses in 
normal as well as emergency situations.  If these systems go out many
lives can be lost.

All Compupter Science and EE types don't work on little black boxes
which have no real useful purpose except to crunch spreadsheets into
some useful statistics, which has its own purpose.  
We all work under differing deadlines and pressures and in most instances
I believe that Engineering can be as if not more complex than being a 
physician.  Complexity is the nature of every engineering field, medical or
otherwise.  The body comes for the most part in only two different forms.  
Computer systems come in many forms. 

I'd have to differ with you on the careful screening after training issue
you mentioned.  Pratically any doctor can move from one state to another 
if they are having legal problems with their practice in their current
state of residency.  

Why should Doctors get more money than other people?  Cause they can.
It's impossible to shop around for service when your dying.  But more 
realistically thats the way it is, Dr's have a nice large lobby to
try and keep it that way.  

Capitilism and Medicine.  Live the reality.  I do.
Question for the day: "Where is money mentioned in the Hippocratic Oath?"
Answer pending reply:


-- what if I had prescribed the other treatment?  Would the patient have 
|>lived?
|>
|>> It is not sour grapes, but a question of perennial demand and an AMA-
|>> regulated supply.  In a market-driven society, you have all the right to 
|>> enjoy this privilege---I would have too, had I chosen the medical line. 
|>> But please don't try to justify it on other grounds.
|>
|>     Some aspects of AMA regulation (i.e. quality) are good for the patient.
                           
--------------------------------------
Maurice LaBiche   |   labiche@bnr.ca 

"The world is a strange place."
"Someone oughta sell tickets."
"I'd buy one!"
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