There are few doctors willing to serve in Orchid Island's rough conditions. Aside from himself and Dr. Liao Ching-yuan, who went to Orchid Island in 1982, doctors sent there still have their hearts on Taiwan, and don't spend much effort on the island.
另外，蘭嶼地處偏遠、交通不便、生活品質低落、衛生所設備不佳，沒有多少醫師願意前往執業，除了田雅各和曾於七十一年在蘭嶼服務的廖慶源醫師外，也都是心繫台灣本島，沒放多少心思在雅美人身上。