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July's Coming to Your Hospital 6/24/2009 2:28:23 PM
Medical students become interns and no one knows what's going on? It's that time of year. Medical students and training doctors move up a notch. and, of course, graduates go into practice. It happens to all specialties and to family medicine and primary care docs as well. Teaching hospitals are just as safe as community hospitals. You've probably been told something different, but that's what the studies show. Good supervision of trainees is extremely important and despite several studies about the 'July effect' (medical care in teaching hospitals becoming dangerous with all of the nubies starting in July), it's just not so. Still, you should protect yourself as you would at any time of year if you become hospitalized.
Here are the questions you ask anyone in a white coat who says they're going to do something to you:
1. Are you a resident or medical student?
2. What year of training are you in?
3. Who will be supervising you?
4. How many of these procedures have you done?
5.Why do I need this done?
And DO NOT accept anything that sounds at all like a brush-off. If you're not satisfied that you're dealing with a competent person, just say, "I'd like to talk with your Attending." That's the boss.
July's a great month. To be careful to identify who will care for you and your loved ones.
