Why are fewer and fewer young people choosing to become doctors?

I have to disagree with the notion that there is a shortage of personnel. If you look at any major medical school in the country, they still have more applicants than available seats. While it’s true that interest is trending downward, there are still plenty of candidates entering the field. The real issue facing our healthcare system isn't a lack of medical staff; rather, it is a fundamentally broken and corrupt system.

And I am not just talking about those unscrupulous surgeons who solicit bribes for procedures. I am also referring to the egregious misappropriations occurring within government agencies and hospital administrations during the procurement of equipment and large-scale investments—areas where massive amounts of money are being funneled.

The core problem lies in a certain mindset that grants doctors absolute power, operating under the assumption that they are untouchable within a hospital setting because someone will always bail them out. The reality is much simpler: if the body fails, no amount of technology can intervene.

We also face a crisis of motivation among staff. There is a widespread perception that they are working incredibly hard for meager pay, which is exacerbated by administrators who are clearly skimming off the top. This leaves the frontline workers struggling for pennies—unless, of course, they decide to follow suit by engaging in theft or extortion themselves, leading to a complete "race to the bottom."

Furthermore, there is an arrogance present in some practitioners who expect patients to simply hurry up and endure their treatment. They fail to recognize that patients are intelligent beings capable of feeling pain. Any attempt by a patient to ask questions or participate in deciding their own treatment plan is often met with hostility, as if it were a personal attack on the doctor's authority.

It is also true that some physicians are overextended. However, instead of hiring additional teams to utilize existing equipment 24/7—which would clear backlogs and eliminate waiting times—people simply lament that we need to build more hospitals. It is far easier to demand more taxpayer funding from the federal government than it is to actually reorganize the current structure.

There is a lack of healthy rapport between doctors and patients, the regulations are poorly designed, and there is a profound lack of accountability for medical errors (where a surgeon's "unfortunate complication" remains a common excuse).

The solution to these problems does not involve throwing more money into the black hole of the medical system or continuing the historical trend of coddling doctors.

I agree with you, except for one thing.

In ALL public hospitals across the wealthier parts of the West, you’re looking at a 3-6 month wait just for an appointment. Here in America, we’ve grown accustomed to getting treatment IMMEDIATELY. That standard should only apply to emergencies, not everything else. If someone wants that kind of instant access, they can go private or pay extra for supplemental insurance.

The problem is the local mindset: people would rather slip a bribe to a government doctor than actually visit a private specialist. That’s why corruption exists. Honestly, the patient is partly to blame too—they encourage the bribery by trying to cut the line and then paying to make it happen.

We are constantly comparing ourselves to the West, but when it comes to this one specific issue, we are NOT. You can't just expect things to work that way.

WHERE DOES THE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE ACTUALLY COME FROM?

Taxes.

But how do you actually collect tax revenue when:

- people are working under the table

- everyone is reporting minimum wage

- overtime goes unpaid

- guys making millions are registered with pathetic state salaries

- and whatever meager amount is collected gets stolen by someone somewhere

We need to address the root cause—pay people fairly, cut down on corruption, and let most Americans live with some dignity. Once that happens, we can actually manage the budget properly.

The point is this: we’d have plenty of money for education and healthcare if people were paid what they owe and politicians stopped looting the system.

It's simple.

Too bad every American is only looking out for themselves.

It’s honestly embarrassing where teachers and professors stand in our society today. How can someone expected to be a role model for my kid or yours barely make enough to get by?

Teachers used to actually mean something—just look at the classics we grew up reading back in the day.

Nowadays... yeah, right.

And what about this whole myth situation? Seriously, 🙏what are you all complaining about regarding $500some doctor taking money. I know it’s wrong and shouldn't happen. But look at the massive amounts of cash being stolen by politicians right under our noses while we ignore it. Then we turn around and attack professions that actually contribute something to this country. There will always be parasites in any field, but I still believe most people are decent.

With elections coming up soon, let's just give the American public their bread and circuses!

I also wanted to mention this:

Down here in France, I paid a measly 27 dollars for comprehensive civil, medical, and professional liability insurance for an entire year!

That means if I break something, the insurance covers it. If a patient claims I hit them, I don't pay a cent, even if I lose the case. If I misdiagnose someone—same thing, zero out-of-pocket cost regardless of the outcome.

And my full name won't be plastered across the newspapers like I'm some high-profile criminal, while the actual killers get away with just having their initials listed.

People in this country aren't used to doctors making mistakes. I realize medical errors can be fatal, but they happen. We have to accept that reality while working to minimize them. We shouldn't be crucifying doctors on a cross of shame.

Kevin White5 said:In all the wealthier Western countries, you have to wait three to six months just for an appointment!!!! We Americans are used to getting treatment RIGHT NOW. That should only apply to emergencies; for anything else, it shouldn't. If someone wants that kind of priority, they can go private or pay extra through insurance.

That isn't quite right. I live in one of those "Western" areas. I know for a fact that I can get any exam I need—whether it’s an MRI, a CT scan, or anything else—within a matter of days. I call around, find whoever has an opening, schedule the appointment, and I'm there within a few days.

The issue with waiting isn't just capacity; it's that here in America, the system allows backlogs to build up unnecessarily. If demand actually exceeded the capacity for exams, wait times would rise naturally, but this feels more like a deliberate choice. It seems like it serves certain interests to keep people on a waiting list; the longer you wait, the more desperate you become, which increases the likelihood that someone will pay a premium to be seen immediately. It is both inhumane and greedy.

Kevin White5 said:That’s why bribery and corruption exist, and honestly, the patient shares some blame because they encourage it by paying to jump the line.
We are constantly comparing ourselves to "the West," but in this one specific area, we are NOT the same. You can't just generalize like that.

Comparing everything to "the West" is a lazy argument. People always find these ridiculous justifications for "the West," ignoring the fact that it isn't some monolithic entity. There are massive differences. Just compare the healthcare system in the United Kingdom to the one in Germany, and you'll see they aren't even remotely alike. Yet, certain people insist on spinning these fairy tales about how "the West" operates.
When it comes to corruption, the patient is an exception, not the rule. They don't pay bribes because they are malicious; they pay because their life or health is at stake. They are suffering, and no one is helping them, yet many people suggest—directly or indirectly—that help is available if they pay up. What is it humanly possible to expect from someone in pain? Of course they will pay. But in cases of medical bribery, the responsibility lies entirely with the doctor, who intentionally puts the patient in a position where they have to choose: pay a bribe or receive no care. The fault lies with a system that treats bribing doctors as a standard practice, starting from small favors for nurses and moving upward.

Just look at that case involving a cardiac surgeon from Cleveland, telling a sick man that "death won't be that painful" and that he has no chance of being seen in time. That isn't the language of a compassionate person; it is the marketing tactic of a scoundrel who steals from both the state and people on their deathbeds. For individuals like that, we should implement much harsher prison sentences. This isn't merely theft or corruption; it is the most despicable form of extortion.

Kevin White5 said:And this whole situation currently unfolding with MIT... honestly, it’s just one thing after another.🙏What are your thoughts on this? $500 So, some doctor went and took a bribe. Look, I know how this works—it’s wrong, plain and simple, and it’s something that just shouldn't happen in a civilized society. But honestly, you have to look at the bigger picture here. We see these massive sums of money being funneled away right under our noses. You watch these politicians pocketing millions in taxpayer dollars through corruption and backroom deals, and yet we barely even blink. It feels like we're focusing on one small transgression while the real theft is happening at the highest levels of government.

Is the argument that politicians steal so much that doctors stealing a little less is somehow valid? I really have to ask: where are your principles? A thief is a thief, regardless of the scale of the theft. In my view, it’s actually worse when someone steals the very last crust of bread from a person in need than when someone swipes half the fortune of a billionaire.

Kevin White5 said:I was just sitting here thinking about how absurdly expensive things have become lately. I actually just paid a staggering $30 for a full year of liability, medical, and professional insurance while traveling through France. It feels like every little thing requires a premium these days, doesn't it?

You’re lucky. If you actually moved to the States, you’d see firsthand what the market rate for malpractice insurance looks like. You could take that twenty-seven dollar figure of yours and add at least three zeros to the end of it—and honestly, depending on your specific specialty or even just which city you settle in, it could be even higher than that. It seems to me that in France, either the government is heavily subsidizing those costs, or their legal system simply doesn't allow for these kinds of lawsuits regarding medical negligence.

Kevin White5 Zachary Thompson9 said:In this country, there’s a pervasive, almost unshakable belief that doctors are infallible. People tend to act as if a medical error is a sign of fundamental incompetence rather than a tragic reality of human nature. Now, don't get me wrong—I am fully aware that mistakes in the healthcare system can be absolutely fatal, and we should certainly be working tirelessly to minimize them through better protocols and oversight. But we have to face the facts: errors happen. They are a part of the landscape. Instead of immediately calling for a doctor to be crucified in the court of public opinion, I believe we need to adopt a more balanced perspective. We should strive for excellence, yes, but we must also accept the fallibility of the individuals providing our care without jumping straight to total condemnation.

On the other hand, when mistakes happen purely because of negligence, I truly believe that doctor deserves to be crucified on a pillar of shame. Honestly, they deserve the gallows. If you kill someone through sheer laziness or total carelessness, there should be consequences. Just look at those cases where pregnant women lose their lives simply because the doctor on call decided to take a nap or was too preoccupied watching a football game to bother responding to an emergency. It’s those endless little instances of incompetence: making sloppy incisions, failing to wait for anesthesia to actually kick in, or just being plain disrespectful—even refusing to administer anesthesia because they simply can't be bothered.

There is a fundamental distinction that we need to make when discussing liability. When an error occurs despite someone exercising genuine, conscientious care, that is simply a mistake. It should be handled through insurance, just like any other unforeseen accident. However, when an error stems from pure negligence or a blatant lack of professionalism, we aren't talking about an accident anymore. At that point, it becomes a crime. Such actions should be prosecuted and penalized accordingly.

The real issue is that journalists don't give a damn about the difference between pure negligence—which, in my experience, is usually the smoking gun for anyone rumored to be taking bribes—and a simple mistake. Mistakes happen; they happen to anyone working in healthcare for 35 years. But to them? It doesn't matter. They just want to go straight for the throat and tear him apart.

I think we're grouping all doctors into one single bucket, and I'm not a fan. Doctors are individuals, just like anyone else. Personally, it bugs me to see honest physicians being dragged through the mud. It’s not right.

Furthermore, in France, you might wait 3 to 6 months for an appointment unless, obviously, it’s an emergency. We're talking about major clinical hospitals here. The only difference is the patient knows exactly which date and time they've been scheduled for.

Besides, we have systems here similar to what banks use in ERs. You just take your number and wait. The doctor calls you based on urgency.

And look, I wasn't trying to defend doctors who take bribes; they absolutely deserve to be punished. What I don't get is how every doctor ends up on the front page of the newspaper regardless of whether the info is actually verified. Then, if they deny doing it, the retraction is buried in tiny print on the very last page. Journalists shouldn't be publishing unverified info and trashing people like that.

Eric Robinson81 said:Must be nice. Go to the US and see what actual malpractice insurance costs. You’d need to add at least three zeros to those 27 euros you're talking about; in some locations or specialties, it's even higher. It's obvious that in France, either the government subsidizes it or suing someone for malpractice is basically impossible.

I can't stand the US because they just let people without insurance die in the streets. Don't even get me started on that.

So what am I supposed to do about the fact that everything in the US is overpriced? Medicine there is just a business; a top-tier surgeon pulls in millions a year. I'm not even going to debate this, because decent medicine should provide basic care to everyone.

Eric Robinson81 said:So, politicians stealing a ton is just an excuse for doctors to steal a little less? Where are your principles? A thief is a thief, regardless of the amount. It’s actually worse to steal the last crust of bread from a starving person than it is to swipe half a billionaire's fortune.

.

A thief is a thief, sure, but they aren't a murderer. In this country, a doctor caught taking bribes gets their face plastered in every newspaper and their full name leaked before they even step foot in court. Compare that to some kid driving a BMW at 200 mph who kills two girls—his initials are all you see in the news, he spends zero time in jail, and now he’s living a perfectly normal life studying abroad. You call that justice? Give me a break.

I'm not defending any doctor, and I don't approve of bribery, but I don't think people should be paraded through the headlines UNTIL THE COURT REACHES A VERDICT.

THE MEDICAL BOARD AND THE COURTS SHOULD BE THE ONES TO DECIDE IF THE DOCTOR IS GUILTY. Not the media.

Kevin White5 said:A thief is a thief, but they aren't a killer. Take that doctor here who was caught taking bribes; his face was splashed across every newspaper and his full name was published BEFORE he even stood trial! It puts him in the same category as that kid who killed two girls while driving a BMW at 200 km/h—for him, the papers only printed initials. We don't even know what he looks like. He didn't spend a single day in jail, and now he’s just studying abroad and living a perfectly normal life. Is that what you call justice? Please.

I am not defending any doctor, nor do I approve of bribery in any form, but I truly believe there is no reason to parade someone through the tabloids WHILE THE COURT HAS NOT REACHED A VERDICT.

IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO CONDEMN THAT DOCTOR, then let it be the medical professionals and the judiciary, and only after guilt has been proven.

What are you looking for? There are laws in America where journalists have successfully sued for defamation; guilty doctors can certainly try.

The guy who ran over those two girls and got away with it is a perfect example of how "justice" works within the American judiciary: he successfully bribed a judge. That’s how the system functions, and that is precisely why it’s such a headache for the EU, because our courts are riddled with corruption and political influence (just look at that case from Boise where a man assaulted a basketball player, and the judge ruled his finger in her anatomy was basically just a handshake).

In principle, you're right; the media does exaggerate, but I think it's just a reflection of the sheer resentment toward healthcare corruption, which, in my opinion, is deeply deserved on the part of certain doctors.

Kevin White5 said:Furthermore, in France, you wait three to six months for an appointment unless, of course, the check-up isn't urgent. We are talking about clinical hospitals here. The only difference is that the patient knows exactly the date and time they were scheduled for.

That sounds horrific. That isn't normal, and it shouldn't be a model to follow. For instance, I came in for an appointment today here in Germany that I booked via phone just two days ago—nothing urgent at all—and I received all my test results almost instantly. If anyone had told me I’d have to wait three weeks, I would have laughed and walked out.

Kevin White5 said:I'm sick of the US because they just let people without insurance die on the street. Please, don't even go there.
And what am I supposed to do about the fact that things are so expensive in the US? Medicine there is a business; a top-tier surgeon can pull in millions of dollars a year. Honestly, I wouldn't even debate this, because good medicine should ensure basic care is available to EVERYONE.

It isn't true that they just let people die on the street; emergency services will pick up anyone, though depending on their insurance, they might end up at different hospitals. Everyone will receive basic assistance. Top-tier US hospitals are undoubtedly world-class, and I see no issue with allowing those who have the funds to pay for premium private treatment. It is far more honorable than being corrupt while working for the state—stealing from the government and the insured, or extorting people when they are in pain or near death. The poor get basic services, but it is more honest to admit that is the reality rather than lying and saying everything is accessible to everyone, only for you to realize that when something is actually needed, it requires a direct payment to the surgeon in a blue envelope under the table.

We've already covered corruption and everything else in this thread.

Let's get back to 😁

ps. The only thing I plan on stealing is knowledge. I'll take it from anyone, anywhere. hehhe

Eric Robinson81 said:What are you even getting at? There are laws in America where journalists have been successfully sued for defamation, so doctors could definitely try that.

I mean, with our court system, anyone can basically try anything. And BTW, doctors aren't CONVICTED, they're just SUSPECTED. You don't even make that distinction, so for someone acting all smart when you clearly don't know what you're talking about...

Eric Robinson81 said:Low-income people only get basic services, but I guess it’s more honest to say that than to lie and claim everything is available to everyone, because when you actually need something, you realize you have to pay for it directly to the surgeon, like under the table in a blue envelope.

It feels like we've been waiting for years for someone to tell those low-income folks—who are basically the whole country—what they actually have access to and what they don't. But I guess the government, through its own departments, has just failed to do that for fifteen years now. They just dump all the risk onto the shoulders of doctors who are working themselves to death trying to maintain service levels that just don't match how little the healthcare system is funded. On top of that, the non-medical staff that clogs up the system isn't being laid off, retired, or moved over to private firms that could help out the public system.
And for people who actually want to pay for better, more advanced procedures that our doctors are totally capable of performing in hospitals, they're shut out in the name of this fake equality. It's almost like they don't want certain doctors, like cardiac surgeons for instance, to gain too much influence or financial standing. Instead, they just throw everyone into the same bucket to enforce equality, and occasionally slap people with extra mandatory shifts or whatever...
Meanwhile, I guess the people designing these policies are the ones getting rich off the healthcare system...

That’s a fair point, doc. Regarding the distinction between suspects and defendants, I believe someone is considered a suspect when the police are still investigating who is actually responsible, whereas they become a defendant once they face charges in court. For instance, Jack Tbrosjek might be a suspect in the deaths of four women, while Tom Lightfinger is a defendant facing charges for defaming the Count of Monte Cristo in his latest financial column. It isn't in dispute that Tom wrote the article; the issue is whether he committed libel.

As for the reality of the system: yes, I am well aware that far too much responsibility has been dumped onto the shoulders of medical staff, but I highly doubt the system will organize itself effectively anytime soon. Quite simply, there are far too many political appointees in charge for anyone to steer this ship back on course. Something will have to explode quite violently before we see any meaningful change.

Hey, doc. We patriots really messed up on a global scale. I actually got an offer in Paris for a residency and a PhD, but I think I’m going to pass because I can't handle four years away from Washington, D.C. and everything else back home. 😢

I'll never be able to afford Dior anyway.

Let me give you the reality of what’s waiting for me in Washington, D.C. After my residency year, I’ll be stuck in some entry-level role for maybe 2-3 years before I even get a specialist title. Pay $1500? Not exactly. And after that, there's the hope of a funded fellowship $1600, assuming I even land one.

Sometimes I think I'm crazy, but I feel most at home here in America. It actually hurts when people around here talk down about doctors. There are so many who are genuinely exceptional—unbribable professionals working way harder than they should. They aren't pulling in political salaries or making anything close to what a serious scientist deserves.

Kevin White5 said:Just so I can give you a heads-up on what's waiting for me in Washington, D.C. After this year of residency, I'm looking at maybe two or three years of just... nothing. Just floating around before I actually get my own specialty certification. And the pay? Don't even get me started. $1500 Yeah, exactly. And then, once that's out of the way, it's straight into rookie residency training. Just great. $1600 And even if I actually pull it off...

Sometimes I honestly wonder if I've lost my mind, but there's just something about being back here in the States that makes me feel right. It’s why it absolutely kills me when people around here start trashing doctors. Like, seriously? There are so many of them who are actually incredible—genuinely good people who can't be bought, working their tails off way beyond what they're supposed to. And for what? They aren't pulling in politician money or getting those massive research grants like some big-shot scientist. It's just... yeah. It hurts to see.

Look, let's be real—you aren't exactly going to strike it rich in medicine. Unless you're a plastic surgeon, you're basically just working for the man. 😁 Look, medicine isn't just some job you clock into—it’s a passion. It’s a whole lifestyle, a way of seeing the world, honestly. You have to actually love it; you have to live and breathe it, or you won't make it. If I could go back in time? Yeah, I’d choose medicine all over again. No regrets. 🙂

And honestly? Whatever. At the end of the day, you’re the only one who actually knows what’s best for you. You know? Just you. 🙂

Kevin White5 said:I should probably mention what my future looks like in Washington, D.C. After my residency year, I’ll likely be looking at two or three years of being a fresh face on the scene before I even get a fellowship. As for the pay—$1500well, certainly not high. And after that, there's the hope of a funded fellowship, $1600assuming I actually land one.

The reality is that many people never secure a specialized fellowship at all. Furthermore, many don't end up working in Washington, D.C.; instead, people born in the capital often find themselves moving far away to small towns just to find work, living separated from their friends and parents for the sake of a career.

Kevin White5 said:Sometimes I wonder if I'm losing my mind, but there's nowhere I feel more at home than in America. It truly hurts when our own people speak ill of doctors, because there are so many who are genuinely extraordinary and good—individuals who aren't corrupt and who work far beyond what is required, yet they don't earn anything remotely close to a politician or a respected scientist.

Look, physicians in America are essentially government employees in certain sectors, and they are compensated accordingly. I left the US to find better opportunities, and I'm not going around complaining that society is unfair just because they didn't reward my brilliance with mountains of cash. They paid me exactly what my profession is worth here in America. You want to live in your favorite city and you want to earn a massive salary? You have to decide which matters more to you. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

No one is stopping you from attempting to open your own private practice, but that comes with risks and requires significant capital, much like any other business. If your goal is to work within the hospital system and make serious money, then specialize in something, pass the USMLE, and head over there to grind day and night for a high paycheck.

And please, let's not drone on about how scientists deserve state funding simply because they spent years in school. That doesn't exist in a market economy; that's pure communism. I know plenty of cases where doctors in America have behaved in ways that were beneath human dignity, to say nothing of the Hippocratic Oath and similar fantasies. The root cause of justifying corruption seems to be that people believe they deserve more, failing to realize they are just thieves if they steal.

Look, what you just said about doctors? You’re taking a direct shot at me here.

It’s rude and completely unprofessional.

I expect an apology. First off, I’m a person of faith, and second, I know my convictions are sound—I haven't done anything wrong. By saying what you did, you've just shown how biased you really are.