Gene,
We all suffer from periods where we get ground down. A couple of years ago, I wondered how I could continue, my attitude had gotten bad. It helps to set limits on medicine and have others interests that make you happy. It also helped me to try to find new things that I could learn to be of help to patients, I found a stress reduction course that I took and now recommend, and then I took on the AC conversion which I had been thinking about for quite some time. It is worth the effort to be able to share our patients' lives and take good care of them in a very personal way.
Think of your worth as a plumber, electrician or (God forbid) lawyer would. What is the hourly rate that you should be paid for your effort and expertise? I think that we are all going to have to move toward a "retail" practice where we provide a service and get paid for it, without the interference of insurers or the government.
I wish you were a little closer, and could join us in the Baltimore AC group. (Even though you are a Steelers fan, we would let you in, right JBS?) The comraderie is a big help. Maybe we could meet halfway sometime for a get together.
Donna
