Is medicine a calling? Or a career?

In today’s world, is medicine still a calling, or has it become a career? For some physicians, perhaps it is both. For others, the distinction is blurrier than ever.

In the May issue of the BCMJ, in honor of National Physicians’ Day, I wrote about Dr Emily Stowe, the first woman in Canada to openly establish a medical practice. She exemplified one version of what it means to follow a true calling. Despite persecution and tremendous personal sacrifice, Dr Stowe was unwavering in her desire to heal people.

I’ve heard more contemporary stories that echo this sentiment. BCMJ readers have shared experiences of caring for multiple generations of the same family, attending patients from birth to end of life, being on call 24/7, and serving as a pillar of the community—the sole physician in a small town.

I once heard a retired colleague reflect that, in his day, medicine wasn’t just a job; it was an identity. He would ensure that “Dr” was engraved on his tombstone.

When I chose medicine, I believed I was following my passion. As clichéd as it sounds on medical school applications, I truly wanted to help people. We all do. But over time, experience has shown me that I was both naive and privileged not to have considered what life would look like in my thirties, emerging from 14 years of postsecondary education and training.

The notion of medicine as a calling has contributed to a culture where financial discussions are often avoided. Talking about money became taboo, and, as a result, many physicians have had little to no financial education. In my time (Oh gawd, did I just say that!?), few medical students graduated with a clear understanding of earning potential across specialties. Practice management and financial literacy were virtually absent from the curriculum.

Today, burnout is widespread. While patient care demands are certainly a factor, other stressors—administrative burdens, overhead costs, regulation, and inadequate remuneration—contribute significantly. Medicine may be a career, but all too often, we’re expected to treat it like a calling.

Many BCMJ readers have shared how conflicted they feel—torn between their commitment to their patients and the toll the job takes on their own health. The fulfillment that comes from helping others is still a powerful motivator, but it may come at the cost of personal well-being.

Physicians are now increasingly advocating for sustainability: part-time work, remote practice, shared call duties, and reduced administrative burden. These shifts are not about entitlement; they’re about longevity. To continue delivering excellent care, the system must evolve to support the people within it. Ultimately, a health care system that values patient care and nurtures the passion for medicine will best ensure the calling endures for generations to come.
—Caitlin Dunne, MD, FRCSC

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