[digitalis]

Because most people have come across doctors and have been helped by them, usually in the reduction of illness or suffering which is universal to everyone, regardless of backround, age etc.

It is arcane, we have unique skills. Translating signs and symptoms into diseases and treatment. Hard degree. Unique rights and responsibilites, prescribing drugs, preventing the resuscitation or active treatment of an individual, signing people off work for extensive periods of time, dealing with illness and disease and suffering on a daily basis?

Just a few things off the top of my head as to why you get the "wow medicine!" effect.

[Gizmo!]

peeple dont really care about it.

at some schools it is encouraged to be seen as the bees knees, which works in the schools favour. But only if peeple at the school are stupid to fall for that crap.