Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Ophthalmology residents are often undervalued. We attempt to quantify the contribution of residents toward the generation of revenue for training institutions. Methods: Surgical procedure case logs between July 2003 and June 2004 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center were analyzed. CPT codes from procedures during which the resident served as primary surgeon were cross–referenced to the published Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to estimate the gross income generated by the residents. Revenue generated through office visits, outpatient and inpatient consults, and emergency call coverage was not included in this analysis. Results: Nine residents participated in a total of 2,341 procedures, and were primary surgeon on 1,221 of these. Based on the recorded CPT codes and the Medicare Fee Schedule for Mississippi, this corresponds to gross revenue of $724,986, or $80,554 per resident. At the University of Mississippi, Ophthalmology residents are paid an average of $35,854 per year. Conclusions: Determining the true value of a resident is impossible. However, when one considers the service the resident provides both to the hospital and to the community, the benefits far exceed the costs.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower • learning