[HSF] Duplicity

[Hgrmd at aol.com]

Chand,
  As of a few days ago, only 27 applicants had applied for the 160  training 
positions in the U.S.  I spoke with one prominent program director  who felt 
that it was likely he would take no one this year.  If that isn't  a crisis for 
our specialty and North America, then I guess there isn't  one.  Until the 
government corrects the draconian cuts in reimbursement  inflicted over the past 
15 years, then the problem won't correct itself.   When I was training and I 
thought that I would be near the top of compensation  in the specialties, I 
had no problem with the long years of training and  privation.  Apparently, 
other residents felt similar to me. During the time  I was looking for a training 
position, the applicant to acceptance ratio was  around 3:1. I don't think 
"dumbing down" our training is the answer.  More  money to attract the crem de la 
crem in numbers is the answer.
Hal