I understand that a lot of time is invested into becoming a doctor and finishing residency, however, i don't understand how you work long hours (around 55 hrs) a week when you're able to fully practice. I didn't know there was so much bureaucracy behind practicing medicine, and i haven't been exposed to the specifics while volunteering at my clinic. I understand people go into medicine because they don't see themselves doing anything else or have a "passion" for it, but i would assume that most people have a life outside of medicine. I was reading in the family medicine forums that some physicians have a 9-5 workday 4-5 days a week, some do hospitalist type work within the week, another physician mentioned doing locums and how they takes multi-2 month vacations after working 6 days a week for 2 months, and is able to rake in >$200k easily. I guess most work long hours to pay off their tremendous debt and are able to have a better lifestyle afterwards.
Everyone recommends doing dental for the $$$ and the lifestyle, but i don't quite understand why.