Bored Snorlax
Podiatry Proud
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2022
- Messages
- 393
- Reaction score
- 526
Thank you for your valuable input. I agree with all your points with the exception of #3.You are rehashing things we have repeated over and over again already.
Its reasonable to voice concerns and opinions.
But don't rehash the same problem just to sound eloquent.
Boards pass rates are a responsibility of the schools and students themselves. Superstar students will pass all their boards no matter what school they are at. Could there be curriculum/staffing changes to make it harder so that only superstar students are getting admitted >> higher pass rates? Yes. But that is more in the realm of what the school can do, not the current podiatry leadership.
edit; looking back i did nothing to contribute. Here are ways schools can increase their board pass rates and attrition
1) More rigorous gatekeeping. Increase admission scoring and standards. Stop scraping for bottom of the barrel. As much as I disagree with new schools opening in general, the Texas school, per their own horn tooting, seems to have taken this into consideration and recruited those with high stats. Higher stats = higher chance of passing boards and graduating. Can't speak to their soft skills.
2) Limit seats at each school. Lower quantity and focus on quality. This is impossible for some programs who already have small class sizes as they will cease to exist. The larger programs are more likely to be able to limit seats, but they do so at the risk of their bottom line and operating expenses.
3) Curriculum changes. This feels at times like a double edge sword. If you switch strictly to boards related teaching, they will be stellar in their board pass rates, but their actual experience and critical thinking skills take a hit. As a resident, you use the knowledge you have to think for yourself and the patient. The board answers may have jack all to do with the real world results. Do you want an army of 4th year students who can only recite board answers when in 1 year, they will be taking care of real patients that come with real consequences? You need a balance of both. The MD/DO curriculum/boards/correlation to how well they do in clinic is apples to oranges- they manage more complex pathologies and need to cover a much broader scope in detail. I disagree with your opinion of"If they all pass their boards and do well, how come podiatry is not the same?".
The main reason is that everyone must pass boards or they will be unable to finish their program.
The board exams assess minimum competency required to practice podiatric medicine, and plays a big role in obtaining your desired residency if you pass the first time. Yes, there is more to podiatry than just the board exam, but realistically speaking this exam determines your career. I agree that there should be a balance of both increasing the competency of podiatric student clinically while simultaneously increasing board performance outcome. More people will apply to podiatry when there is a higher chance of success, which means potential for superstars to enter the field of podiatry and advance our profession.
I apologize if I was repeating some topics, I have genuine concerns not just for myself but also my friends going through the same program. I want all of us to succeed because everyone invests a lot of time, money, and sacrifice into pursuing this career.
It is also not comforting learning about the residency shortage that occurred with the previous school opening, but I hope the pod leaders will take action and not let history repeats itself.
P.S. I will continue to work hard in silence and get along with everyone I appreciate your advice.