The backloading of clinical experience and a potentially unnecessary fourth year are just two reasons why Amaar Karan, MD, a resident physician at Boston-based Brigham Women’s Hospital, believes medical education isn’t as efficient as it can be, according to an op-ed he recently penned for BMJ.
Dr. Karan points out that most incoming residents complete their last sub-internship clinical rotation roughly six months before they become residents, leaving a period of extended inactivity that leads to the July Effect, a time in hospitals when rusty residents are prone to mistakes and mortality rates increase. One way to combat this is by introducing clinical experience earlier in a physician’s medical education, not spending as much time on basic science courses and instead focusing on real-world skills.
Dr. Karan suggests shortening medical school from four to three years, which he argues would lessen the debt that is a source of stress for so many resident physicians. This also give patients the best possible care from residents who are fresh from their clinical internships instead of those who must hastily refresh on basic terms after an extended break.
More Articles on Hospital-Physician Relationship:
Harvard Medical School, more than 30 affiliates stage 'die-in' to protest AHCA
UC Davis begins search for human health sciences vice chancellor, medical school dean
This physician-representative treated House Majority Whip on the scene of shooting