Even if physicians wanted to try to learn/practice/apply across different fields, there is also tremendous push-back from other specialists, and anyone who tries is mocked. In retrospect, the cabal trained docs this way so that one could never understand the full spectrum of illness and treatment because the docs are all walled off from each other.
After the first two years of medical school, all the training then becomes uber-specific to whatever field the med student wants to study. Yet another example of keeping us divided. The fault was built into the system. Thoughts?
Hyperspecialization falls away in the most rural of areas. Many doctors do stuff outside their given areas when specialists are not available. As a surgeon in metro areas I stick to my field of general surgery and not other specialties because in metro areas practicing outside your scope will result in a lawsuit. Urologists PAY malpractice to do urology procedures. As a Trauma surgeon I can do urology procedures but I'd only do it if no urologists are available and to save a life. So, while there are some truths in what you write, it ain't that cut and dry. One other thing... There are specialists for a reason. Would you want your colon cancer cut out by a surgeon who rarely does that procedure or would you want the guy that does hundreds of those procedures every year?