My spouse is a doctor and lives the same life you describe.  People glorify the pay while having no clue about the profound level of personal sacrifice required by this profession.  With the delayed entry into the workforce, the long long hours and the lack of workplace benefits and pensions, the current compensation system is simply not proportionate to the sacrifices required by these professionals.   Many doctors work well into old age because of the absence of pensions.  For public servants who give so much of themselves and sacrifice so much of their personal lives to improve the lives of others - this status quo just isn't ok.