Lunatics and dermatologists

So I know that many of these young doctors will, like Marjorie, combine sane lives and good work. But it must be acknowledged that some troubling trends accompany their rejection of lunatic commitment.

There is a shortage of primary care physicians. These are the frontline doctors on whom most of us depend. They have to work long hours for relatively low pay. Shortages also loom among surgical specialists, obstetricians-gynecologists, and others whose hours are bard to control. Medical students are saying that the "R.O.A.D" to happiness lies in radiology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, and dermatology, all of which make modest demands on the physician's time. Last year's medical school graduates filled 97 percent of the dermatology residency slots available in U.S. hospitals, but only 41 percent of those in primary care.

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