Why this primary care doctor retired early

When I was growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s, virtually every primary care doctor (pediatrician, internist, GP-there were no FPs) I knew of had his office (women in practice were rare) located in a wing of his home, with the driveway enlarged to accommodate patients.  A new physician in practice would simply hang his name on a shingle in front of the house.  These doctors were paid in cash, made house calls, and were not quick to refer to specialists. Emergency rooms were not usually staffed by physicians, although one would likely be on call for each specialty.  If you cut your hand, you went to your doctor’s office for sutures, even if he were an internist (they had all done rotating internships and knew the rudiments of surgery, OB, etc.). These medical warriors made a decent living, but they worked long hours.  Burnout was unheard of. Disability insurance carriers loved to issue policies to physicians, because they almost always worked until they dropped. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Primary care Source Type: blogs