APMA News - May 2012 - (Page 34)

Being a Residency Director: What’s in it for You? BY EDWIN WOLF, DPM National Residency Genesis Facilitator, American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine M ost of us are aware that fifth-year resident in a neurosurgery there is a shortage of poprogram, or a second-year resident in diatrists to address the foot an OB-GYN program. And that reimhealth needs of Americans. Many of us bursement amount may be sizeable. also are aware that there is a shortage of Unlike allopathic and osteopathic residency training positions to meet the residencies, podiatric residencies can required demands. generate new funding for their instituThe postgraduate training of doctors tions. We are uncapped as we continue of podiatric medicine has advanced treto have a documented shortage in the mendously in the past several years. number of training programs to meet Our profession has mandated that all the needs of the public. residency training programs be at least three years in length; effective July 1, So What’s in it for 2013, all podiatric residents (even those who started training prior to that date) You on a Personal Level? will be required to complete three years of residency training to meet minimum Interested and capable podiatrists board certification requirements. Resihave many reasons to develop programs. dency programs must include rotations Beyond the altruistic reasons, there are in general medicine, general surgery, direct—and potentially significant— Edwin Wolf, DPM behavioral health, medical imaging papersonal benefits in starting residency thology, trauma, emergency care, biomechanics, and podiattraining programs. Federal money received for residency eduric surgery. They must include a minimum activity volume in cation includes payment for residency directors and faculty. many of these disciplines. Because reimbursement for podiatry residents is identical to Currently, 216 training facilities are approved by the payments for other medical specialties, residency directors of Council on Podiatric Medical Education to provide 553 enpodiatry programs are usually paid in line with other directors. try-level positions for graduating DPMs. But the class of 2012 A recent study conducted by the American Association of will have 543 graduates nationwide. Add to this number the Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) shows that for prograduates from previous years who are expected to take part grams with two or more entry-level positions, residency direcin the 2012 match, and you will find that there will be poditors often earn more than $50,000 per year. Many directors atric physicians who, after four years of college and four years also earn fringe benefits as employees of institutions. These of podiatric medical school, will not enter training programs benefits may include health-care coverage, pension funds, necessary for licensure. malpractice insurance coverage, and other employee benefits. This problem can be solved readily by developing a few Resident-run clinics need faculty. The faculty are paid atnew podiatric residency training programs in communities tendings. The increased visibility within the facility can genacross the country. Doing so will not only help the profeserate increased referrals to you and your practice and ension and our students, but can be of direct benefit to you, hanced interpersonal relationships, both of which can translate as well. to greater income. Residency training is funded through the federal MediHelp is available—you don’t have to do it all alone. care program, the major financier of graduate medical educaAACPM has partnered with APMA and other interested orgation in this country. This program pays hospitals to train nizations to develop the National Residency Facilitation Iniresidents. The amount CMS reimburses hospitals is identical tiative. This initiative can help you progress from initial interfor each resident, regardless of specialty. There is no differest in starting a residency program, to development, to filing ence in graduate medical reimbursement between a first-year the application with CPME, to initiation of a program. resident in a CPME-approved podiatric residency program Start now. E-mail me at ewolf@aacpm.org or call 212and a third-year resident in a general surgery program, a 874-0609. n 34 APMA News May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - May 2012

APMA News - May 2012
President’s Message
Contents
92nd House of Delegates: Advancing Education and the Profession
Special Section: APMA Educational Foundation
Being a Residency Director: What’s in it for You?
DPM versus MD: Letters to the Editor
JCRSB Update: May 2012
ACO Update: Are Commercial ACOs Getting a Leg Up on their Medicare Brethren?
APMA By the Decade: 1952–1961
Profiles in Progress: Medical Staff Leadership
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: Determination of Income/Salary for Employed Professionals
Master Your Practice at the National
Annual Scientific Meeting Preliminary Program
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Small Business 101
Awards Nominations
APMA All Stars
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
New Members
Death Notices
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - May 2012