Why did Arthur Conan Doyle have problems being a doctor?

Answer 1

I suppose the obvious answer is because he was a doctor himself, and this allowed him to be more realistic in his writing. He also knew that having a doctor as a sidekick would allow him to be a little more lenient with the Holmes character as to medical knowledge.

Answer 2

Watson narrated most of Sherlock Holmes' cases that he, Watson, was involved in. I don't know why Conan Doyle kept Holmes out of view for most of the middle of the plot - where Watson acted and then narrated - but I assume it was to increase and lengthen the suspense. Holmes explained that he kept away from Baskerville Hall because he did not want the suspects to know he was there, and thus be on guard. Watson, as smart as the reader but not as smart as Holmes, would have reacted as the reader would have done: rushed out with Sir Henry to trail the light on the moor, puttered around investigating Mrs. Lyons and Mr. Frankland without a eureka moment, ineffectually trying to keep Sir Henry from visiting Miss Stapleton.