Yup. Several new programs came into existence this past decade. On top of existing programs that have expanded, I would guess over 3/4ths of programs would be on this list
I dont expect there to be agreement on this. In 5-10 years, the "best" candidate for a community practice will no longer be in the specialty because of unchecked expansion. I also disagree that there is a singular best candidate or that I would be able to tell. The problem is that there will be too many candidates in 5 years, so why should I take one from a program that is slapping the specialty in the face. Opening a new residency program right now is an act of incredibly bad faith and they should be tracked and boycotted.
"You should contract!" -- "You shouldn't expand!"
This is the problem. Every program points the finger at the other program.
But many still expand and nobody contracts. Until something dramatic happens, I don't see things changing.
It sounds like gfunk is having to evaluate applicantions for a position with his practice in order to increase the likelihood that a new hire is likely to stay long-term. It’s America, though, and they can leave if they want. Just the same, wvu training a resident from wv is more likely to increase the number of radoncs in wv than hoping one comes down from Pitt, or over from mdacc. Nothing’s guaranteed, but it’s clearly more likely that state schools training local people will fix local shortages, should they exist.
I dont believe there is a maldistribution, but that there are just too many residents being produced. If a location is non desirable, they should pay more. A long term guarantee of a salary in the 75% MGMA would make many of us move (including myself) to the vast majority of the continental us. What you are ignoring is that soon or later, even the rural jobs will fill up under present conditions. They just happen to be what is left now, but it is reasonable to believe that in 5-10 years, even jobs in BFE will be in short supply.
I'm not ignoring that fact. I get it. It's pretty much all that's talked about here. I don't support expansion, but I have the perspective of a resident at a strong academic program, not a cancer patient in the hills of WVa. I'm simply saying that these under-served areas might be trying to fix a supply shortage, and maybe a salary in the 75% MGMA isn't the most reasonable approach. Rather, training someone who's lived there, and wants to live there, and will accept a salary that will allow them to live well enough, is more reasonable.
WV is within the catchment area for patients getting specialized care at upmc. Not clear to me why WVU would need a residency program when wvu residents can go to Pitt to train and go back when they are finished
Yes. There are already more residency spots than US applicants, and it will only get worse. US med students dont have to apply to these programs (which havent even opened yet) to guarantee a match in this field.
I also grew up in a small town, and would have taken a job there, (where my friends and family still reside) if one were available in that specific location when I graduated. Since no job was available, I chose a suburb of a desirable city at the time. I was in no way inclined to take a job thousands of miles away in a rural location, to which I had no connection, on account of the fact that I grew up in a smaller town. Thats magical thinking.
Fwiw, this is essentially my point. Using wv as the token example, I'm suggesting that they do not care about the larger market, but rather that all local openings are filled. I don't think this is just a matter of alleviating scut. They are thinking of nearby patients, who are more likely to be served by their graduates. Once the market is saturated, so be it. As was said earlier, it's the tragedy of the commons. who's more blameworthy, the large depts that are saturating their markets, and others, and won't contract, or the smaller ones in less desirable locations that are starting up and potentially recruiting local people? This thread seems to blame all programs that are new or getting bigger. I'm suggesting there are programs that are already too big, and should be shouldering more blame.
I agree with this as well. Obviously, I don't know their true motivates. If I think about the bigger picture, and pretend that all programs are new, it's less absurd to think that ark should have one spot than Harvard 7, or 6, or 5. Their im residency isn't 7x as bag as all of Arkansas.
I dont think small departments are any less to blame than large departments, but how can a program possibly care about the welfare of residents if they are opening during this type of glut. They certainly don't have the residents' interest at heart, so why would a medstudent want to enroll in such a program, when they are basically guaranteed a spot at an existing program. It is much easier to target these programs to make a statement, and hopefully large programs will get the message. As has been mentioned this is a "tragedy of the commons," by the greedy and self-interested and without any type of pushback, it will only get worse. Yes, it sounds distasteful and unAmerican to target programs, but give it some thought as a valid consideration.
With the coming glut of residents looking for jobs soon, it'll be an easy way to cull the herd of applications. No different than nuking applications with low board scores, DO students etc during a competitive residency application process.
Again, presently there are more than enough spots for all US applicants to match without applying to the new programs. Many of these programs like FIU/MIAMI LIJ/NYC, DREXEL/philadelphia, PENN STATE, Cooper/southern NJ are near/in major cities with very few jobs.. Arkansas and WVU are not providing radoncs for their local market which are already full, or will be within 1-2 classes, or could easily be served by other programs within a two hour driving distance. A new program cant possibly value the welfare of residents (let alone their education) if they are opening during such saturation. Why would a US MD attend, when they are virtually guaranteed to match at an existing program? We are already not filling the match.
It is what it is. Anti DO bias has long existed in competitive MD residency selection and it still persists to this day, whether that's right or wrong. Same thing with anti FMG/Caribbean grads. Where did AMG undergrads go when their GPA and /or mcat scores weren't up to snuff for a US allopathic program?? So it's not like it is totally arbitrary.
He's already an attending out in practice for several years... But hey why not start burning bridges now before you even match to a specialty about to start a long term job market crisis...
You really are not representing your degree very well. It sounds like there are enough residency positions for all applicants, MDs and DOs, and more residencies are planning on opening. Both MDs or D0s with options, may decide to look elsewhere because of the whats going on with the job market. I dont see why now a DO would think, this job market sucks, so I am going to jump on this specialty? kind of insulting to DOs
