From Residency to Retirement: Physicians' Careers over a Professional Lifetime

From Residency to Retirement nt is a documentary that follows the lives of twenty American doctors over the last fifty years, reflecting the changes in the U.S. health care system. It explores the experiences of these physicians, including their professional practice, working conditions, collegial relationships, and patient interactions. The film provides a "view from the front lines" of the medical profession, revealing the satisfactions and strains of coping with macro policies enacted by government and insurance companies. It also explores the doctors' private feelings of disillusionment and fear of failure due to the malpractice epidemic and lawsuits.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2021
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

From Residency to Retirement: A Tale of Twenty American Doctors Over the Last Half Century

The film, "From Residency to Retirement," delves into the captivating stories of twenty American doctors who have witnessed a remarkable era of continuous, turbulent, and transformative changes within the U.S. healthcare system over the past fifty years. The experiences of these cohorts are a testament to the generation of physicians who emerged during the presidency of Carter and Reagan, when cost-effectiveness and the benefits of health services became central focal points.

Dr. Mizrahi, the filmmaker, embarked on a remarkable journey to observe and interview these physicians across six distinct timeframes, culminating in 2016. Beginning with their medical school journey in the mid-1970s, these physicians candidly reveal the myriad fluctuations, uncertainties, and challenges they encountered in their professional practice, working conditions, collegial relationships, and patient interactions. In their own words, they offer a "view from the front lines," showcasing their experiences in both academic and community settings.

Through their narratives, these physicians shed light on the satisfactions and strains they experienced in navigating the macro policies enacted by government and insurance companies throughout their career trajectory. They describe their residency in internal medicine at a large southern urban medical center as initially characterized by a "siege mentality," gradually dissipating as they ventured into their careers. Dr. Mizrahi's first book, titled "Getting Rid of Patients" (1986), delves into these early experiences and the evolving perspectives of these doctors as they progressed.

As these doctors continued their professional journey, their experiences became more introspective, encompassing discussions of dissatisfaction with financial remuneration, emotional gratification, and intellectual fulfillment. While moments of career frustration were interspersed with periods of satisfaction, particularly at different stages of their medical careers, the film sheds light on the overarching theme of optimism and recommendations for a medical career.

Furthermore, the subjects of "From Residency to Retirement" candidly share their private feelings of disillusionment and fear of failure. They openly discuss the challenges they faced, the sacrifices they made, and the personal growth they experienced throughout their medical careers. The film serves as a poignant testament to the resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment of these physicians, who have played a vital role in shaping the healthcare landscape of the United States.

Through the narratives of these twenty American doctors, "From Residency to Retirement" offers a profound exploration of the evolution of medicine, the impact of policy decisions, and the personal journeys of physicians in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. It serves as a valuable resource for medical students, educators, and healthcare professionals, providing insights into the complexities and rewards of a medical career and the enduring spirit of those who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of better health and well-being.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813570020