Doctored: The Disillusionment of an American Physician by Sandeep Jauhar

 

After rereading his first book ‘Intern’, I naturally became to read his 2nd book. In this book, he illustrated realistically American middle-aged doctor’s life. I was a little surprised that not a few American doctors are also discontent with the medical system, economic reward, and their social status. The author, a cardiologist at the teaching hospital and a father of two children, was stuck between ideals and reality. After considering going into private practice to make ends meet, he started moonlighting with private practitioners. During this process, he compromised himself by participating in the moral hazard in medical practices like doing unnecessary tests or procedures on patients. After a few years of excessive workload and inner conflict, he eventually stopped paying attention to such ‘business’.

Before reading this book, I thought vaguely that American doctors have a high income that they need not be concerned about income. However, quite similar to Korean doctors, it seems that affluent life is not guaranteed if they stick to an ideal model of doctor and neglect the business part. To maintain a decent standard of living and send kids to decent schools, morality often gives way to revenue.

Despite such reality, most outstanding high school students in Korea try to enter into medical school. Through the IMF crisis in the late 1990s and last year’s coronavirus pandemic, job insecurity and future unpredictability were quite vividly experienced to almost all people, and so becoming a doctor seems to maintain its popularity for some time.

 

Written by Shim G.

 

Tuesday, March 02, 2021

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