Morality Games
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
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Re: A new study finds that a majority of physicians support the creation of a public
Then about half of all doctors have right-wing sentiments and have no problem making empty threats. Saying you will consider quitting when a poll to that effect comes your way is a pretty easy thing to do, but it isn't a very credible warning if anything else in your life is important to you aside from your politics.
As for your concern: no, the number is not significant. Doctors tend to lead more expensive lifestyles than those of other professions. Those up to their mid-40s might be able to retire, but only at the expense of the kind of golden years they have been envisioning for themselves for the last couple of decades, which would kind of ruin part of the point of being a doctor -- they would have an average middle class retirement, which would involve a higher degree of frugality than they are likely accustomed to (one modestly priced vacation a year, probably not removing themselves to a more expensive state like California). Those in their late 50s/early 60s would just retire a few years earlier, and their absence won't be missed, because those doctors already retiring early due to bitterness with the system would lose their incentive to close up shop.
In the end, none of it means anything.
Reread the poll question.
45% will consider leaving the medical profession or retiring early.
Setting aside the fact that this obviously includes a large percentage who would not consider retiring now, but might consider it later, what percent of practicing physicians do you think could retire from full-time practice tomorrow and live off their savings? I'd say it's probably pretty significant.
Then about half of all doctors have right-wing sentiments and have no problem making empty threats. Saying you will consider quitting when a poll to that effect comes your way is a pretty easy thing to do, but it isn't a very credible warning if anything else in your life is important to you aside from your politics.
As for your concern: no, the number is not significant. Doctors tend to lead more expensive lifestyles than those of other professions. Those up to their mid-40s might be able to retire, but only at the expense of the kind of golden years they have been envisioning for themselves for the last couple of decades, which would kind of ruin part of the point of being a doctor -- they would have an average middle class retirement, which would involve a higher degree of frugality than they are likely accustomed to (one modestly priced vacation a year, probably not removing themselves to a more expensive state like California). Those in their late 50s/early 60s would just retire a few years earlier, and their absence won't be missed, because those doctors already retiring early due to bitterness with the system would lose their incentive to close up shop.
In the end, none of it means anything.
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