Much has been written about the podiatric residency crisis; there are more podiatric graduates then residency slots available. The APMA and the CME have united to help form podiatric residencies to ensure that every student gets a residency. But, if we are to spin that forward, does that mean there will become a podiatric jobs crisis. Most recent grads from podiatry residency are not ready to run their own practice. The podiatry managment classes and groups in podiatry seem more interested in pushing their own products and companies than educating podiatrists on how to run a practice. So, most of these grads need a shepherding by an older podiatrist in an associateship, even if it does not develop into a partnership. The experience alone is worthwhile.
In the year 2015, there will be 200 more graduates just from residency than ten years ago. Is the Podiatric job market ready to accommodate this increase? Some would argue this is great and anticipated podiatric expansion. But the two areas where the greatest podiatric expansion has taken place, multi-speciality groups and the VA, are almost tapped out. Podiatrists are now forming huge groups, which groups will take on one and no more then two associates a year. The old guy who needs a young assoicate to come in and help him are not as plentiful as they once were. If graduates shocked the residency system, does it not make sense that graduates from Podiatric residency will shock the employment system? Or is that too forward a thought for the APMA?
Now, there are some caveats to this: we are reaching a period where lots of podiatrists are getting set to retire and sell their practices. In fact, by converse I can make an argument that for those looking to purchase a practice the next five years will provide many opportunities. By the way, I am not arguing there will not be a need, there will be. Whether podiatrists will have the employment prospects to meet that need is the question I am posing.
In 2015, I think reimbursement cuts will hit, which may worsen the job crisis further. Read more here:
To say nothing of the High Deductible insurance plans which will hit next year:
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