Royal College Report on Employment Prospects of Specialists

[JohnGrisham]

5 hours ago, PhD2MD said:

I don't by the geographical distribution part. I'm sure it contributes to a degree...but my wife and I literally phoned 50 female FM doc offices to try to find one for my wife, with no luck. We're well connected and live in a major med-school city. You could argue that it's her fault for wanting a female FM, but still....50? That experience just makes me doubt the distribution part of the argument.

There are plenty of big cities that are under serviced as well. Rural more so yes but plenty of people without FPs in big cities. When I started med school I called around 30+ places. Then the only way I got one was through pulling strings via the physician program. Same doctor that wasnt taking new patients took me on just for being a medical student. Felt cheap.

[LittleDaisy]

9 hours ago, JohnGrisham said:

There are plenty of big cities that are under serviced as well. Rural more so yes but plenty of people without FPs in big cities. When I started med school I called around 30+ places. Then the only way I got one was through pulling strings via the physician program. Same doctor that wasnt taking new patients took me on just for being a medical student. Felt cheap.

I won't feel cheap, I only got an excellent GP through PARO, same thing through medical school. You will be a better physician if you have a good GP taking care of you! 

The wait time to get a GP in Montreal is like 365 days if you are healthy. I agree that major cities are under-serviced too!

[GH0ST]

19 hours ago, JohnGrisham said:

There are plenty of big cities that are under serviced as well. Rural more so yes but plenty of people without FPs in big cities. When I started med school I called around 30+ places. Then the only way I got one was through pulling strings via the physician program. Same doctor that wasnt taking new patients took me on just for being a medical student. Felt cheap.

You can pay it forward by being a good physician yourself. 

- G

[JohnGrisham]

23 minutes ago, GH0ST said:

You can pay it forward by being a good physician yourself. 

- G

For sure, and dont get me wrong I'm a realist and not naive to the fact that those who are more well connected get further in life. But still felt hypocritical, much like when a recent cancer patient of mine had ?cord compression and their daughter physician was able to secure a stat imaging scan at their hospital. (We arranged it at our centre for a later time so there would be someone to read and direct oncology planning).  

Sometimes I get reflective on these topics and then shrug my shoulder acknowledging thats "just how it is".  I would likely do the same I'm sure if I'm ever in an unfortunate position like that. Its human nature.

[hamham]

While article actively explored physician unemployment, it would interesting to also explore the issue of physician under-employment. I have known some in subspecialties that remained underemployed even though they found jobs after completing residency/fellowship.

[Edict]

On 5/1/2019 at 9:27 PM, swoman said:

This is what happens when resident quotas are set with ability to service the call schedule instead of the demand of these specialists irl

attendings will argue this is the result of PARO work limitations and are probably chuckling to themselves right now. The good old days of 1 in 2. 

[X Æ A-12]

16 hours ago, Edict said:

attendings will argue this is the result of PARO work limitations and are probably chuckling to themselves right now. The good old days of 1 in 2. 

Why don't we just hire midlevels instead of pumping out residents - they can't be that much more expensive. A good PA is worth more than an average resident

[Edict]

1 minute ago, swoman said:

Why don't we just hire midlevels instead of pumping out residents - they can't be that much more expensive. A good PA is worth more than an average resident

But for the attendings, this costs money. Residents are cheaper than PAs and they come from different funding sources. Plus, you can make Residents work call and whenever you want but PAs typically work 9-5 and if you want them to work extra you'll pay plenty. 

[X Æ A-12]

1 minute ago, Edict said:

But for the attendings, this costs money. Residents are cheaper than PAs and they come from different funding sources. 

Actually you're right, PAs work way less than residents and probably make similar to what a PGY4/5 makes. 

Residency is basically disguising slavery as education