[4thaccount]

That is probably because they are both different jobs. Both doctors and programmers get paid while they're at conferences and shouldn't have to pay for travel, lodging, food, or conference fees. Outside of that, I'm not sure doctors are needing to pick up too many skills outside of what they typically get paid to do.

A rails developer gets paid to make rails apps and maintain them. If you notice that your company will have to pivot soon and another technology will be needed, I hope they allow you to learn on the job, but many are far too shortsighted, so you have to do so outside of work and it's the reality of the situation however stupid.