Self-employed private physicians who charge a fee for each patient visit are the

Self-employed private physicians who charge a fee foreach patient visit are the foundation of medical practice in the United States.Most physicians have a contract relationship with one or more hospitals in thecommunity. They send their patients to this hospital, which usually chargespatients according to the number of days they stay and the facilities(operating room, tests, medicines that they use). Some hospitals belong to acity, a state or, in the case of veteran's hospitals, a federal governmentagency. Others are operated by religious orders(教会) orother non-profit groups.

Some medical doctors are on salary. Salariedphysicians may work as hospital staff members, or residents, who are oftenstill in training. They may teach in medical schools, be hired by corporations tocare for their workers or work for the federal government’s Public HealthService.

Physicians are among the best paid professionals inthe United States. In the 1980s, it was not uncommon for medical doctors toearn incomes of more than $ 100,000 a year. Specialists, particularly surgeons,might earn several times that amount. Physicians list many reasons why theydeserve to be so well rewarded for their work. One reason is the long andexpensive preparation required to become a physician in the United States. Mostwould-be physicians first attend college for four years, which can cost nearly$ 20,000 a year at one of the best private institutions. Prospective physiciansthen attend medical school for four years. Tuition alone can exceed $ 10,000 ayear. By the time they have obtained their medical degrees, many youngphysicians are deeply in debt. They still face three to five years ofresidency(实习阶段) in a hospital, the first year as anapprentice physician. The hours are long and the pay is relatively low.

Setting up a medical practice is expensive, too.Sometimes several physicians will decide to establish a group practice, so theycan share the expense of maintaining an office and buying equipment. Thesephysicians also take care of each other’s patients in emergencies.

Physicians work long hours and must accept a greatdeal of responsibility. Many medical procedures, even quite routine ones,involve risk. It is understandable that physicians want to be well rewarded formaking decisions which can mean the difference between life and death.

1.According to the passage, it is very unlikely thatan American hospital is owned by ______.

A．a church          B．a corporation       C．a city             D．a state

2.The expenses for becoming a doctor are spent on_______.

A．schooling andretraining

B．practice in ahospital

C．facilities heor she uses

D．education heor she receives

3.According to the passage, how long does it take fora would-be physician to become an independent physician in the USA?

A．About sevenyear.                       B．Eight years.

C．Ten years.                             D．About twelveyears.

4.Sometimes several physicians set up a group medicalpractice mainly because _______.

A．there are somany patients that it is difficult for one physician to take care all of them

B．they can taketurns to work long hours

C．facilitiesmay be too much of a burden for one physician to shoulder

D．no one wantsto assume too much responsibility

5.Which of the following statements could fullyexpress the author’s view towards physicians’ payment in the USA?

A．For theirexpensive education and their responsibility, they deserve a handsome pay.

B．It isreasonable for physicians to have a large income because their work is verydangerous.

C．Physiciansshould be better paid because they work long hours under bad conditions.

D．Physicianshave great responsibility, so it is understandable that they should be wellrewarded.

试题答案

【答案】

1.B

2.D

3.D

4.C

5.A

【解析】

试题