But even after one actually begins the practice of medicine his education is not complete. In order to keep up with the times he must do a great deal of reading. He must attend district medical meetings, and also State and national meetings. Moreover, he should visit other cities and thus come in contact with the ideas of other practitioners in other communities.
An ideal standard of medical education is outlined in the following quotation:
“The American Medical Association’s ideal standard of medical education as set forth by the Council on Medical Education, after years of extensive study, research, and investigation, is given herewith:
“(a) Preliminary education sufficient to enable the candidate to enter our recognized universities, such qualifications to be passed upon by the State authorities.
“(b) A course of at least one year to be devoted to physics, chemistry, and biology, such arrangements to be made that this year could be taken either in a college of liberal arts or in the medical school.
“(c) Four years in pure medical work, the first two of which should be largely spent in laboratories of anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, etc., and the last two years in close contact with patients in dispensaries and hospitals in the study of medicine, surgery in its various branches, and the specialties.
“(d) A sixth year as an interne in a hospital or dispensary should then complete the medical course. Under such procedure the majority of students would begin the study of medicine at about 18 years and graduate from the hospital interneship at about 25.”[15]
[15] Vocational Studies: School Edition, Teachers’ Aux. No. 1, p. 4, Collins Publicity Service, Philadelphia, Pa.
The Income That Can Reasonably be Expected in the Practice of Medicine
The practice of medicine does not hold out the hope of any great financial reward. There are some medical practitioners who have made small fortunes in their practice, but such cases are few. The ordinary practitioner can not count on much more than a comfortable living, in accordance with the living standards in the community in which he lives. Not only is the physician’s salary generally small, but it is uncertain as well.