One has to wonder how much of the “residency” requirement for doctors was created to protect patients; how much of it was meant to provide hospitals with cheap help from trained people; and how much of it was meant to protect doctors from competition from eager qualified new people.
I have an example from my own profession to illustrate. Many years ago when I was first hired; one could be propoted to lietenant after three years on the job. It is now five years since the test is only given every two to three years this really means up to eight years. Supposedly this is for safety. But if someone has 20 years on some other department and has written books and has a degree there still is no exception made. It is not for safety; it is a union thing. I am pretty sure that the residency deal for doctors is similar.
I don’t think you’re off target. Residency programs should be reformed. Actually this will forced upon them; and we can only hope the changes are for the better as demand for services skyrockets. It may not be.
Yes, it’s the AMA.