For those of you who didn't catch it, the NY Times article last weekend on "The Falling Down Professions" was both sad and sobering.

There were a few sentences that struck me most:
 

• "As of 2006, nearly 60 percent of doctors polled by the American College of Physician Executives said they had considered getting out of medicine because of low morale, and nearly 70 percent knew someone who already had......... One doctor responding to the American College of Physician Executives survey wrote: 'I find it necessary about once every month or two to stay in bed for 24 to 48 hours. I do this on short notice when I get the feeling I might punch somebody'.”
  
  
• "Unquestionably, many doctors and lawyers still find the higher calling of their profession — helping people — as well as the prestige and money, worth the hard work. And the stars in either field are still that: commanding the handsome compensation and social cachet. But to others, the daily trudge serves as a constant reminder that the entrepreneur’s autonomy simply can’t be found in law or medicine."

I confess that I am conflicted about the problem AND the possible solutions.

I left the practice of medicine as I no longer felt fulfilled in my work. I now spend my days working with physicians many of whom want to leave practice, and who need both support and a path to do so.

Yet, as a member of society, it is not in our OR my personal best interest to promote the departure of demoralized doctors (or even lawyers!) from their clinical practice roles. Who will take care of us in our old age? Or our families in times of need?

A grandiose vision of mine is that of all physicians receiving the education and support needed to thrive in practice not only delivering the services they are trained to offer, but also in profitable sustaining businesses. Not having to take any old lousy contract because they are desperate or don't know how to evaluate it, being able to attract patients that are fun and rewarding to care for, and hiring and managing the people who can best help them achieve their goals and plans. Am I way off base with this dream?

Is the House of God really coming tumbling down?

If you have the time to read the NY Times article and it provokes any thoughts, I'd love to hear your reactions!