(sorry....i had to post this because i work at Ohio State and had to stick up for my collegues.)

there is often no difference between the skill levels of doctors at academic institutions. i know of quite a few people who were almost killed or permanently maimed by incompetent doctors at the famed cleveland clinic. it doesn't matter under what setting a doctor works....whether they graduated first or last in there class, they all get to be called doctors. some of the best doctors choose to stay at academic hospitals in order to pass on all of their knowledge.