The doctor

In this program Lynn Poole shows that being a doctor is not all drama and glamour but rather personal and financial sacrifice, intellectual ability, discipline, and hard work. Three men at different points in their medical education each list their increasing responsibilities. John Freese, a third year medical student, says that one must enjoy science, have stamina, and be able to deal with people to survive medical school. James Allen, an intern in medicine at Johns Hopkins, describes his duties and adds that doctors need to deal compassionately with relatives of patients as well as with the patients themselves. William Knauer, a resident in ophthalmology, has been studying medicine for twelve years and describes his responsibilities at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Clinic. Mr. Poole also introduces and interviews the wives of these men, who agree that their role is to be understanding of a doctor's time and situation and to have something at home to keep them busy and happy.