What are the pros and cons of being a physician?

Question

Accepted Answer

The cons of being a physician include intense schooling, long hours, and high burnout rates, while the pros include a high-paying job that allows you to save lives and help others. Becoming a physician is a long and difficult process, but it is worth it in the end for many. Physicians have the opportunity to make an impact in people's lives and make a good living. With a good salary and the satisfaction of helping others, becoming a physician can be very rewarding.

The Pros of Becoming a Physician:

High salaries; the average salary of a physician in the United States is approximately $219,000 per year
Respect and admiration from peers and the public
Ability to make a positive impact on people's lives
High job security; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029
Variety of job settings from hospitals, private practice, travel doctors (e.g., doctors without borders)

The Cons of Becoming a Physician:

Medical school debt can be substantial
You have to make sacrifices
Long hours and high stress - generally, doctors starting out in a private practice can expect to work anywhere from 40 to 70 hours per week.
Mental and physical exhaustion
Rules and regulations can be frustrating
High liability and risk of malpractice suits
Dealing with difficult patients or families
Rigorous educational and training requirements
Potential burnout is high extremely high risk of suicide compared to the general population