I have dealt with the residency shortage issue
firsthand. A couple years ago, a recent graduate
contacted me stating she had matched for a
residency with the Army, however because she had
skin cancer (which was successfully removed 4
years prior), she did not qualify for the
program since the Army required her to be cancer
free for 5 years. Her graduating year, 20
students did not get a residency and the
following year was even worse, making it nearly
impossible for her to match. It would be like
trying to get drafted in the NFL after being out
of college for a year. When she contacted me,
she was working for a grain company for $12 per
hour with her student loans bearing down on her
like a freight train.
Since our group has 4 doctors and 4 clinics, I
felt we would be able to generate enough cases
to qualify for a residency. So I attended the
Residency Genesis Program held in Chicago and
quickly learned that realistically it would take
at least 18 months to get everything approved IF
we had enough cases. I spoke with our hospital
administrator who was open to the idea but
admitted that if it was going to cost them one
dime they weren't interested since, like most
community hospitals, it's all they can do to
stay afloat. So starting a residency is NOT an
easy thing to do.
After researching Michigan's requirements, I
found a loophole allowing preceptorships for
licensing, however there had not been one used
in over 10 years since there has always been
enough residencies. I went before the State of
Michigan's Board of Podiatric Medicine and was
able to get a preceptorship approved. After 2
years she was able to become licensed in
Michigan and even obtain surgical privileges at
2 of the 3 hospitals we use. But none of this
was without a fight.
Then she applies to be on Blue Cross/Blue
Shield's provider list and is rejected because
they require you to be board eligible with ABPS,
and the podiatrist on the appeals board said it
would be impossible for her. Now she can't see
60% of the patient base in our state. Really?
What total B.S.
This graduate was a good student, is a good
doctor and did everything required of her. Now
the profession she loved and spent a quarter of
a million dollars becoming a part of her has
dissed her. I understand there's not an easy fix
but I feel some concessions have to be made for
those students who have fallen through the
cracks. Have we NO compassion. What about "first
do no harm?" Couldn't the ABPS and the State
Licensing Boards make some concessions or do we
just let these graduates flounder with NO chance
for a future in our profession. What is this
telling students considering podiatry? Would you
spend 4 years and $250,000 on a profession with
this possibility existing?
I hear there may be one state that doesn't
require a residency for licensure. if that's
true it's going to be like a leaper colony. I
know 60 graduates did not match in 2012, what
about 2011 and 2010? What about this year and
next year....when does it end? I'm guessing
before it does there will be several hundred
thrown under the bus.
Whose fault is it? I don't care! I just want to
know what we can do for those affected.
Trevor Neal, DPM, Sturgis, MI,
balisong2000@hotmail.com
