Dermatology News Adds New Opinion Column

According to the June 2015 issue (page 2) of Dermatology News, Dr. Brett Coldiron will contribute a monthly opinion column entitled, “Cold Iron Truth.” Dr. Coldiron is a well-respected private practice Mohs surgeon with clinical  ties to the University of Cincinnati and the author of an impressive number of peer-reviewed published research papers, who has served dermatology in many national leadership capacities. In his first column on page 14, he wrote about how, “Resident debt is ruining medicine” that may be of interest to current medical students applying for dermatology residencies. Dr. Coldiron noted at the beginning of his essay that many physicians owe about $300,000 in debt by the time they complete residency. He cautions readers that “Residencies are chosen for their fiscal attractiveness, which is not a correct or sustaining reason for a long hard career.” Since the majority of new physicians are currently facing this type of future debt, readers are left to wonder if applicant debt will ever become a consideration to those charged with selecting the best residents for their specialty program?