That feeling can go both ways. A specialist is essentially a diagnostic expert in a particular subject — a scientist. Very valuable for illness, but potentially less so for patient interaction. “Many specialists don’t spend a lot of time with patients,” says Mosley. “Radiologists are now in another year of residency because they’d say to the patient, ‘You have a cancerous mass’ and walk away.’”

Patient interaction is, of course, the bailiwick of primary-care physicians. “A primary-care doctor will say, ‘How are you feeling? Are you doing better?’” says Mosley. He likens such physicians to priests, noting that most feel called to the profession and provide more than just clinical care. They embrace the philosophy that a person is more than the sum of his illnesses. But today’s business model precludes them from offering what patients both need and want.

But if nothing else, our survey shows a reawakening of spirit among primary-care physicians. If perception has not quite caught up with reality, it soon will. “It’s like a gangly kid who’s changed into a beautiful young adult — they may not know their value yet,” says Mosley.



Or at least, they’ve forgotten because through it all their focus has remained on their patients.

“I love my patients and being part of the medical community,” says Rosenstock. “The only thing I would say I’m frustrated and dissatisfied with is the pressure I’m faced with, having to see more patients and having to take good care of my patients at the same time. It eats on you, and you’re sacrificing something.”

“But,” she says, qualifying her situation, “most people have a significant level of frustration with their jobs. I don’t think mine’s more. Maybe even less.”

Shirley Grace, senior writer for Physicians Practice, holds an MA in nonfiction writing from The Johns Hopkins University. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, including The Washington Post and Notre Dame Business magazine. She can be reached at sgrace@physicianspractice.com.

This article originally appeared in the October 2007 issue of Physicians Practice.