Yesterday we were in need of a professional gas fitter to make a house call to fix a problem with a gas line in our home. It was a simple problem for him, requiring about 10 minutes. His fee was $156 plus tax for a basic house call. I contrast that with a basic house call that I make as a physician. The last time I looked, the fee was about $110. I am thankful that none of my five children have chosen family medicine as a career. They are all in technical trades or engineering. It is interesting that I am to conclude that the services of a gas fitter are about 50% more valuable to society than the services of a family physician based on the fees paid to these two respective professions.
—Robert H. Brown, MD, CCFP
North Saanich