Is the desire of physician’s offspring to follow in their father’s footsteps as great as it once was or have they been influenced in other directions? Back in the early days, doctors often complained of the hours involved. What offset this was that the income was good and the fact that the doctor was a respected member of the community. Today, and increasingly over the past decade, complaints about how medicine must be practiced, how getting paid less and having to comply with everything the employer wants their physicians to do has made independent practice a dead concept. While dealing with patients was once a problem, now dealing with insurance companies, government and employers has become more problematic.
Should your kids go into medicine? I think a lot less are attracted to it as they were in the past. Men tend to be interested in a job in which they can be more independent. Luckily, more women are still attracted to this profession. Evaluate what your offspring have done and how satisfied are they with their chosen paths and see what you have inspired them to do. Maybe you can get them to follow in your footsteps yet.
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