How does a doctors education in the US differ from a doctors education in the UK?

Question

I have noticed that doctors in the UK, according to what I have read, have about 6 years of education after high school and make around 40,000 pounds anually. But this isn't even enough to cover the high cost of medical school in the United Kingdom! Now while 40,000 may sound like a lot to some, the average salary on that side of the world is about 33-35,000, so a doctor isn't making much more than the average worker. Here, where it takes 8 years of schooling (4 college, 4 medical school) + 2 years of residency - doctors make in many cases, more than triple the average salary. Why is that and what is the difference between a UK PhD-MD and a US one (other than the obvious reasons)?

Answer 1

I think you're just basing your question on the wrong information (I wish you weren't as an average wage of £35,000 would be rather nice).  According to the Office of National Statistics the average wage in the UK is £22,000, whilst doctors earn on average £80,000.  That's comfortably more than triple the average salary so I reckon British doctors do better then American ones!

Answer 2

There is a national health care system in the UK, so that could explain why doctors are not paid as much.