- Joined
- Nov 2, 2019
- Messages
- 3,497
- Reaction score
- 14,519
From Dr. Eichler's Presidential Address (starting around the 48-49 minute mark):
"Predicting supply and demand can be tricky business, as we have seen. In fact, as recently as 2008 an article by Smith et al suggested that there may be a shortage of Radiation Oncologists in the years ahead. Logically, if supply exceeds demand, the solution is to decrease supply to match the market. The reality, however, is that ASTRO doesn't control the market, or the supply, i.e. the number of residents in training. And, although we do advise the ACGME on training program requirements, that can only move the needle but so far. In fact, blatant attempts to do so constitutes collusion to control the marketplace, which is illegal. The matter that has gotten the most attention recently, however, is the fact that fewer US medical students are choosing careers in Radiation Oncology, as witnessed by the failure to fill available residency slots the past two years. Much has been written about this over the last 18 months. Earlier this year, the leadership of ARRO published a thoughtful editorial in the Red Journal that addressed this very issue and other concerns. SCAROP's response is, in my opinion, equally thoughtful...[reads an excerpt from the editorial]...in other words, the sky is not falling. The specialty remains exciting and progressive with a bright future. To medical students listening, let me assure you: we are in a period of uncertainty regarding the job market and training positions that history would suggest is temporary."
...
"Beware of the social media echo chamber, where a disaffected individual with inaccurate information can have a disproportionate amount of influence."
...
"Begin your job search early in training by networking extensively."
...
"Your ultimate objective should be to get A job, not necessarily THE job."
Invoking collusion eh? Most impressive. If ASTRO doesn't control the market, or supply, then how exactly would they be convicted of collusion? Has ASTRO decided "antitrust" no longer holds water and we're going with a buzzword of the current political era, "collusion"?
Yes, SDN and Twitter can definitely be echo chambers. I'm happy to let students read the numbers and decide for themselves...which they have. Good job, medical students of today and tomorrow!
"Predicting supply and demand can be tricky business, as we have seen. In fact, as recently as 2008 an article by Smith et al suggested that there may be a shortage of Radiation Oncologists in the years ahead. Logically, if supply exceeds demand, the solution is to decrease supply to match the market. The reality, however, is that ASTRO doesn't control the market, or the supply, i.e. the number of residents in training. And, although we do advise the ACGME on training program requirements, that can only move the needle but so far. In fact, blatant attempts to do so constitutes collusion to control the marketplace, which is illegal. The matter that has gotten the most attention recently, however, is the fact that fewer US medical students are choosing careers in Radiation Oncology, as witnessed by the failure to fill available residency slots the past two years. Much has been written about this over the last 18 months. Earlier this year, the leadership of ARRO published a thoughtful editorial in the Red Journal that addressed this very issue and other concerns. SCAROP's response is, in my opinion, equally thoughtful...[reads an excerpt from the editorial]...in other words, the sky is not falling. The specialty remains exciting and progressive with a bright future. To medical students listening, let me assure you: we are in a period of uncertainty regarding the job market and training positions that history would suggest is temporary."
...
"Beware of the social media echo chamber, where a disaffected individual with inaccurate information can have a disproportionate amount of influence."
...
"Begin your job search early in training by networking extensively."
...
"Your ultimate objective should be to get A job, not necessarily THE job."
Invoking collusion eh? Most impressive. If ASTRO doesn't control the market, or supply, then how exactly would they be convicted of collusion? Has ASTRO decided "antitrust" no longer holds water and we're going with a buzzword of the current political era, "collusion"?
Yes, SDN and Twitter can definitely be echo chambers. I'm happy to let students read the numbers and decide for themselves...which they have. Good job, medical students of today and tomorrow!