THERE are four kinds of satisfaction to be derived from medicine: prestige, income, helping to relieve suffering, and intellectual effort. Despite widespread criticism of the profession, society recognizes the important contributions of medicine, and individual physicians are afforded a position in the community second to none. Respect, special privileges and considerations, and deference are the experience of nearly all doctors of medicine, who also enjoy incomes among the highest in the community.
Few physicians are immune to the pleasures and benefits of money and prestige. After many years of intense competition and hard work, such rewards are sweet indeed. They begin to justify the effort and the sacrifices without which no one can become a physician. Few of us fail to respond with pleasure to being called "Doctor," and it is gratifying to be able to afford the nice things in life. We like to pay off our debts, buy