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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Actual numbers belie impression of massive departure of physicians under Department heads and Medicine dean

Most of these suggest that a massive departure of clinical science faculty (physicians) has occurred due to the influence of two particular department heads and the dean of Medicine.

The actual experience does not support this claim.

During the term of office of the heads of Pathology and Surgery, there has been an overall gain in the number of full-time faculty in both Departments.

Moreover, recruitment of new faculty members has been higher than average, while resignations were about average.

During the term of the current dean, there has been improvement in recruitment and retention of the overall number of clinical faculty.

Dr. Roger Keith was appointed head of Surgery July 1, 1990. Dr. Jay Kalra was appointed head of Pathology on July 1, 1991. And Dr. David Popkin became the dean of Medicine on July 1, 1993.

Between July 1, 1990, and December 31, 1998, the University appointed 95 new clinical faculty members to the College of Medicine.

During that same period, 88 faculty members left the clinical departments for a net gain of 7 clinical science faculty.

All appointments, retirements, and resignations were processed in accordance with University policies and procedures.

In the Department of Pathology, there were 12 new faculty appointments, and 8 faculty left the Department during the eight and a half years under review for a net gain of 4 faculty members.

In the Department of Surgery, there were 16 new faculty appointments, and 12 faculty left the department - a net gain of 4 faculty members.

Of the 88 clinical faculty who departed, 56 resigned. Of the other 32, there were 20 retirements, 7 became disabled, and 5 were involuntarily discontinued or transferred.

In Pathology, 4 out of 8 resigned, 3 retired and one died.

In Surgery, 9 out of 12 resigned, one retired, one became disabled, and one discontinued because of qualifications required by the University and College.

Using the average number of 177 approved positions as a base, it's possible to calculate both a "recruiting rate" and a "resignation rate" for the collective clinical departments over the eight and a half year period. Likewise, these rates can be calculated for each clinical department.

The recruiting rate for Pathology is 92%; for Surgery, 74%; and for the overall clinical departments, 54%.

The resignation rate for Pathology is 31%; for Surgery, 42%; and for the overall clinical department rate, 32%.

At December 31, 1998, the Department of Pathology had 14 out of 15 positions filled; Surgery, 20 out of 21 positions filled.

On July 1, 1991, there were 2 vacant positions in Pathology out of 13 approved. On July 1, 1990, there were 6 unfilled positions in Surgery out of 22 approved.

During the three years from July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1993, there was an average of 10 new appointments and 10 resignations per year among the clinical faculty.

From July 1, 1993, to December 31, 1998 - a period of five and a half years under the current deanship - there was an average of 12 new appointments and 5 resignations a year among the clinical faculty.

The foregoing indicates a fairly high rate of turnover for the clinical faculty - approximately 50% in eight and a half years.

The College also employs basic scientists (e.g., anatomists and physiologists) who are not physicians. The turnover rate was about 40% for that group over the same period.

There were 26 new appointments, and 25 persons left the College. The average number of positions approved was 61.5 over the review period.

Of the 25 who left, only 3 resigned. Eighteen retired, 2 became disabled, and 2 were involuntarily discontinued or transferred.

In terms of recruiting and resignation rates for the overall basic sciences, they are 42% and 5% respectively, compared to 54% and 32% for the clinical sciences.

There appears to be greater mobility among the clinical faculty who may continue an academic career or engage in private practice.

- Syl White
Director of Administration and Finance, College of Medicine

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