title: Alternative Considerations for Surgical Training and Funding.
abstract: Since the late 1880s surgical residency programs have existed in forms that are similar to our current models. Many important variations have been introduced over time. On aggregate this system has worked remarkably well; though as economic, demographic, and cultural changes continue to evolve, one must wonder if we were to change our models how might we do that and what reasoning could we use. This article's focus is to take a stratospheric view of what could be done, particularly in the United States, rather than characterize what happens in other countries with other health economic systems.
authors.affiliation: Marshfield Clinic and Saint Joseph's Hospital, 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 750 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53726, USA; United States Army Reserve, Medical Corps, USA. Electronic address: rmartin@yorkhospital.com.
authors.forename: Ronald F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D013502:General Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D014146:Training Support / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States
keywords: Alternatives; Funding; Graduate medical education; Surgical training