01/06/2014    

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (RESIDENCY SHORTAGE CRISIS )

RE: Unmatched Residents, One Possible  Solution                                                              From: Stephen Peslar, BSc, DCh 

 

It has been sad reading about the ongoing unmatched residents crisis. Out of sight does not mean that solutions have been found – just ask a recent podiatrist grad who does not have a residency! I am wondering if it possible for 10-20 DPMs, as a group, to provide $40,000 annual funding during the next 12 years for a teaching hospital that does not have (or has) a podiatrist resident, to create or add an additional podiatrist resident position? The donations would be tax-deductible and each podiatrist could pledge an annual contribution of $2,000 to $4,000.

 

I know that there are medical-legal obstacles and liability issues to overcome, but a hospital CEO might make it possible for a podiatrist resident position to be created if the funding is there from podiatrists. The podiatrist resident could also do short placements with some podiatrists in private practice. Who knows what goodwill will result from this move? The hospital may continue the funding after the 12 year period has ended.

 

Rather than accusing association(s) or leader(s) of profession myopia or poor understanding of the reality of podiatric economics, a grassroots proposal may help the podiatry graduates who desperately need a PSR sooner than “better luck next year.” This would certainly change the current mantra of “podiatrists eating their young.”

 

Stephen Peslar, BSc, DCh, Toronto, Ontario,  pezpied@hotmail.com

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