Archive for: September, 2009
New specialty approved: Expect a new fellowship soon
The American Board of Pediatrics approved a new specialty in treating child abuse last week, according to American Medical News.
Approximately 225 physicians are expected to take the first exam in the specialty this November 16th, the article says.
Pediatricians have been fighting for this specialty for nearly a decade. They there is a need for board-certified experts in the filed to teach medical students and residents about child abuse.
The approval paves the way for the ACGME to create fellowship training guidelines for this new specialty.
Residency coordinators: Get your to-do list out of your head
Our 2009 salary survey revealed that many coordinators feel that there just aren’t enough hours in the day to complete everything that’s on their to-do list. When asked what the biggest challenge they’re facing, respondents gave answers such as:
- Managing the workload and meeting deadlines as the result of recent staff cuts
- Trying to get everything done in a 40-hour workweek and not being able to get overtime
- Having a large workload and not getting things organized before the next task comes along
Read the rest of this entry »
In the news: Hospitals not making board certification a requirement for privileges
A new study in Archives of Surgery suggest that hospitals do not consistently require physicians to be board certified to receive privileges.
ACGME announces award recipients
The ACGME posted the winners for the 2010 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Lead Award, Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award, David C. Leach, MD Award, and the GME Program Coordinator Excellence Award.
Remind trainees to put a professional foot forward when applying for hospital privileges
As directors and coordinators, you know how unprofessional, unfinished, and incorrect application materials can poorly reflect on medical students applying to your program. Well, medical staff professionals (MSP), those individuals who work in the credentialing office at the hospital, feel similarly when graduating residents and fellows submit their applications for appointment to the medical staff.
Resident doesn’t bite the bullet for attending physician
What do residents do when they see attending physicians doing something unethical? Chances are, not much. Unfortunately, residents are in a position where there is virtually no upside to blowing the whistle on a superior’s behavior. Unfortunately, this environment does nothing to help the greater cause of ensuring the highest quality of patient care.
ACGME gives guidance on managing emergency situations
Today, the ACGME posted Responsibilities of ACGME-accredited Programs and Institutions in Local Extreme Emergent Situations, which discusses protocols for handling emergency situations.
The results are in: 2009 residency coordinator salary survey
With an economy on the rocks, health care reform making its way through Congress, and funding for GME being scrutinized, it’s not a surprise that our annual coordinator salary survey got a record 579 responses. Here are some highlights from this year’s survey.
The good news is that more coordinators report earning higher salaries in 2009 than in previous year’s. The following is a breakdown of respondent salaries:
- 6% earn less than $30,000
- 35% earn $30,001–$40,000
- 35% earn $40,001–$50,000
- 16% earn $50,001–$60,000
- 6% earn $60,001–$70,000
- 2% earn more than $70,000
With salaries ranging from less than $30,000 to more than $70,000, there are several factors that influence coordinator compensation, including institution-type. Survey results show that:
- 65% of respondents work in academic- or university-affiliated hospitals
- 24% of respondents work in community-based facilities in rural, urban, and suburban areas
- 4% of respondents work in specialty hospitals
- 1% of respondents work in military facilities
- 5% of respondents listed other
Location also affects coordinator salaries.
Location also affects coordinator salaries. The Pacific and Northeast regions had the highest percentages of coordinators making $60,001–$70,000, 16% and 13% respectively. Respondents living in South Central made less money than any other region, with 89% reporting they make $50,000 or less.
Additionally, there may be a correlation between Training Administration in Graduate Medical Education (TAGME) certification and pay.
The number of respondents certified by TAGME or currently pursuing certification is up this year from 2008. According to 2008 data, only 1% of respondents were certified and 7% were pursuing certification. This year’s survey results show that:
- 7% of coordinators are certified
- 9% are currently pursuing certification
- 22% would like to become certified, but it is not available in their specialty
- 61% said they were neither certified nor pursuing certification
Although institutions vary in whether they recognize coordinator certification with higher pay or bonus, 78% of certified coordinators make more than $40,001. Only 59% who answered they are not certified make more than $40,000.
Although the recession hasn’t seemed to negatively affect coordinator salaries, it seems to be having an effect on raises. When asked how the current economic situation has affected coordinator pay, respondents said:
- 53% did not receive a raise this year
- 16% said this year’s raise was equal to 2008
- 13% said this year’s raise was smaller than 2008
- 3% said this year’s raise was higher than 2008
- 2% said their salary was decreased
- 19% listed other
For more on coordinator salary survey results, download a copy of the raw data.
RPA subscribers: Refer to the August 2009 issue of RPA for full coverage of the survey results and analysis of coordinator salary trends.
What do you think of our results? Leave your comments in the box below.
ACGME unviels new Learning Portfolio information
This week, the ACGME updated the Learning Portfolio section of their Web site to include a new demo of the online system and the latest time line for completion.
As Ruth Nawtoniak, C-TAGME will discuss at the 4th Annual Residency Program Management Seminar, coordinators and directors should check out this page frequently for the most current information about the ACGME’s portfolio initiative.
Innovative recruitment strategy eases financial burden on residents
Kaiser Permanente (KP) is offering a virtual recruitment session for medical students interested in applying to their residency programs this Saturday, Sept. 12.
A KP press release states that the online open house is the organization’s response to the increasing financial burdens medical students face (student loans, weak economy). Instead of flying out to visit the program, applicants can speak with program directors and current residents via the Web.
If you’re interested in learning more about this event, log on and see for yourself how it runs. The open house lasts from 10:30am-12pm PST on Saturday. Simply log onto http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=61401
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