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Hospitals in July - beware 6/28/2011 2:29:03 AM
There are mixed reviews about whether or not teaching hospitals are riskier places to receive care with new interns in July You'll see a lot of bright new faces in July if you're admitted to a hospital for care. July is when graduate training begins. Everyone moves up a level and new interns fill in the first year slots. Residents (trainees) are highly motivated to help you and are skilled in what they can do - for the most part. Problem is a few of them will fib about their experience.
Whether an elective admission for, say, a hip replacement or for an emergency admission for say appendicitis, you'll need to exercise caution in dealing with new trainees. Studies have reported both increased complications as well as no change in the incidence of problems following various treatments in teaching hospitals in July. No one knows for sure.
First of all, you'll need to ask a few qualifying questions. Teaching hospitals are safe and you'll receive good care. But you need to know who you're dealing with: what level of resident, who is going to back them up, who ordered the test, what do they expect (anticipate) they'll find if you undergo the test, and most importantly, what are your treatment options.
Don't be shy about asking what their experience is with your particular problem. Ask who the supervising physician or surgeon is and when you will meet that person. What should be better today than in the past is improved supervision of our trainees. Ask how many of the particular procedure you're about to undergo the young doctor has performed. Ask what the results were.
In a word, advocate for yourself. If you don't like what you're hearing, ask to see the Attending physician before you agree to treatment. And bring along a friend or relative as your support team. I will continue to repeat a troubling reality:
