UNCATEGORIZED
I was curious about the origin of the term “blog” as I have been asked to write one. The Merriam Webster Dictionary supplies the following definition: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. Well, it seems that by DEFINITION my blog contains MY OPINION. Nonetheless, I will now include a disclaimer. The following is my opinion and not that of my partners or anyone else at Foundry Orthopedics…you will indeed find reflections, comments and hyperlinks.
I have been practicing Medicine in Rhode Island since 1988. I am a locally cultivated guy who returned to the Ocean State after my training, which included college, Medical School, Residency training in Orthopedic Surgery, and a stint in the US Navy. I have had the opportunity to practice in multiple venues and settings, all of which provided interesting experiences. I have learned from each of these opportunities.
In a recent moment of introspection, I remembered why I moved back to Rhode Island. First and foremost, it was HOME. However, if I weren’t from here, why would I come here to Rhode Island? In the real world, why do people move? What are the motivations? Well, money, weather, lifestyle, and cost of living all come to mind.
According to a recent article in wallethub.com, which was reprinted in forbes.com, the average medical student leaves school with almost $180,000 debt. The links for these articles is provided below. I urge you all to take a look, especially if you are planning to stay in Rhode Island for a while. You will notice in the state rankings that Rhode Island is 51st: dead last. Hey, wait a minute, aren’t there only fifty states? Yes, that is correct, but they decided to include the District of Columbia as well. You will note that the rankings utilized several different measures of desirability for a physician to practice in that particular location.
So, if I am a young doctor looking for a place to hang a shingle, one of the first things I will do is to research articles like these as I try to make a very important life decision. Why in the world would I relocate to a state where reimbursement is low, and the likelihood (statistically) of being sued is high?
Please take a moment to peruse these articles. Your continued access to quality physicians could hang in the balance.
