A recent study found that doctors are leaving the profession twenty years earlier than other professionals. The author cites lack of trust and dislike of the doctor by patients as the main reason. There are many reasons for this, among them: the increasing litigious nature of our society; reporting and public investigations of physician mistakes; the advent of the “quickie” office visit; the unfounded expectation that the doctor is perfect are among a few. Where are we headed if this trend continues? We already are seeing a decline in the number of physicians practicing in America. This gap is being filled by an increasing reliance on foreign doctors, “physician extenders” including Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, etc. The care of American patients is gradually being turned over to non-physician healthcare providers. Will they be trusted more than doctors? What do you think?