My not so generous and extreme take is that the medical profession has a “hero culture”.
There is prestige in working your ass of and living for work. Work life balance is for the weak people who can’t take it, they are not real health professionals. They don’t have what it takes.
I have seen the same culture in aid work.
I find it ironic that both health professionals and aid workers are there to help people, but not for each other. Then it’s cut throat.
Yes this does seem to be the culture, at least for doctors working towards the more competitive specialties (such as surgeons). Things get much less hectic once they reach “consultant” at age 35 or so, but it’s an absolute grind until then. With no guarantee of success! If you see your GP with a bunch of extra paper on the wall, chances are they are one of the many that didn’t win the game.
What’s a good alternative though? These are high paid, high status, jobs for life. Of course it’s going to be as competitive as all heck to get them. Do we shame Olympic athletes for the dedication and sacrifice they must provide to obtain their goals? I’m not saying the current system is great, but any alternative could well be worse.
Having friends on the other side of those medical union strikes, I think the hospital systems play hard ball and the unions don't get good outcomes often. My friend quit the hospital because how they were wringing her dry and pushing economical things that she found unethical. She quit and started her own private practice, makes more money, works less hours and is much happier now.
There is prestige in working your ass of and living for work. Work life balance is for the weak people who can’t take it, they are not real health professionals. They don’t have what it takes.
I have seen the same culture in aid work.
I find it ironic that both health professionals and aid workers are there to help people, but not for each other. Then it’s cut throat.