<p>I don’t believe there are any physicians practicing in the United States who are of <em>average</em> intelligence.</p>
<p>I think perhaps some people expect physicians should be brilliant. They are not necessarily brilliant, but I personally have never met any who are of “average” intelligence. They may not have great people skills, they may not run their practices in the best way, they may make mistakes, they may be terrible at explaining things, terrible at connecting warmly with patients, terrible at many things that are not related to intelligence. </p>
<p>(Speaking as a person with many physicians in the family, and whose husband teaches at a major medical center, I have known my fair share of physicians, in all their imperfections. None are of “average” intelligence.)</p>