Thus, from its roots as a patient-centered, education-oriented year of learning, the medical internship has evolved into a laboratory-centered, algorithm-oriented, technology-driven, computer-dependent, Internet-based, “treat first, diagnose later” training program. Consequently, we are exchanging sleep-deprived healers for a cadre of wide-awake technicians who cannot take an adequate medical history, cannot perform a reliable physical examination, cannot critically assess information they gather, cannot create a sound management plan, have little reasoning power, and communicate poorly.
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1 comment:
You know, this is a pet peeve of mine. Dr. Fred was an intern 54 years ago for Christ's sake, in the days when there were far fewer interventions, fewer medications, much-much-much less paperwork, and a more stable census of patients in the hospital. Some of my older attendings relate to me that fifty years ago, hospitals were more like boarding hotels than the high throughput patient processing mills they are today.
Dr. Fred is nostalgic for the good old days but times have changed. I bet he got to sleep every night when he was on call and he was also probably a young, single male with no family responsibilities and no comittments, finanacial or social, outside the hospital.
Not to mention that 54 years ago, most doctors did a single intern year before practicing medicine, not the four, five, or even eight years of post-graduate training we must endure today.
Medicine is not a cult. I'm sorry Dr. Fred believes it is and needs to have a congregation of captive residents worshiping him 24 houts a day.
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