[dagw]

I do, on occasions. I have, for example, helped a small local museum with their website for free. I've also helped a couple of volunteer groups with setting up computers. And, if in the future, a group I feel is worthy of help, but cannot afford to pay me, asks me to do something which I have the time and skills to handle I'll probably give then a hand.

[mkramlich]

The difference between our profession and the medical profession however is that, unlike ours, software development, whose skills can be acquired at basically no significant cash cost (other than a cheap desktop PC), many doctors have to begin their careers with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, assuming they could afford it at all even with loans. I don't think we should begrudge medical folks for wanting to be paid, and paid well, as long as that is not the only thing they are in it for.

[keenerd]

What is the difference between the medical profession and the legal services profession? It is just as pricey to become a lawyer. Yet even lawyers have the concept of "pro bono".

[mkramlich]

True. Perhaps it's because medical school is harder than law school. Or perhaps because if a doctor gives free medical advice, and something goes wrong, someone could die and he get sued. If a lawyer gives bad advice, the typical downside is not as bad, plus, a lawyer is less afraid of getting sued since he can defend it against better, cheaper, more efficiently. Just brainstorming aloud.

[Locke1689]

What makes you think doctors don't work pro bono at times? Both my parents are physicians and I know they sometimes volunteer their medical services for no cost. Even hospitals sometimes volunteer resources but physical goods aren't free or cheap.