1. Read research, unpaid 2. Treat patient, paid
The doctor clearly has an incentive to focus on treating disease. They do read research, but they would surely read even more if they were paid directly to do so.
There's nothing nefarious in this, it happens in any industry. We do more of the things we're paid to do, and less of the things we're not.
Suppose a pilot has a choice of two activities:
1. Read FAA safety report, unpaid 2. Fly plane, paid
Doctors, especially at academic institutions, are required not only to be up to date in the latest research, but contribute to it. If a doctor treats a patient in a way not up to par with current practices in research, he will be sued and lose his licensure.
1. Attend CME meeting, often at nice resort locale, usually unpaid, but deductible. Acquire at least 25 hours of such attendance per year.
2. Lose medical license. Pump gas, if you can find a full-service station.