Personal Competencies and Medical School Admissions

Why are medical schools placing so much emphasis on evaluating applicants' "personal competencies?" Why do some medical schools now have patients participate in the medical school interview process (in particular, at medical schools that employ the multiple mini interview)?

An excellent article in the New York Times was written by Madeline Drexler, a patient with a "classic" heart murmur who was asked to volunteer as a "patient" in a Harvard Medical School class where students learn about physical exam findings. Through this experience, she was treated cooly by some Harvard medical students as "a heart murmur" while, by other students, she was treated as a human being. As evidenced by this article, the medical school admissions process, even at "elite" schools such as Harvard, is imperfect; some applicants (and medical students) with perfect academic credentials may not possess the communication and interpersonal skills that are required to practice medicine.

This article is a must read for all physicians in training. No matter where you are in your medical education, it is important to remember the importance of empathy, understanding, and compassion when caring for patients. Perhaps Ms. Drexler might be an excellent addition to Harvard's medical school admissions committee.

Click Here to read the article.

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Do you value the opinion of Dr. Jessica Freedman and MedEdits? The New York Times does.

At MedEdits, we advocate for all of our clients regardless of their path into medicine.  In a New York Times letter to the editor, Dr. Freedman discusses why medical educators from New York and the Caribbean must work together to ensure high quality clinical training for all medical students.  

Click here to read Dr. Freedman's letter to the editor.

The Cost of Medical Care: Teaching Medical Students and Residents

By Jessica Freedman,MD, www.MedEdits.com

"How will the results of this test change your diagnosis or treatment?" This was a question I would routinely ask my medical students and residents when they presented their patient treatment plans. Unless they could provide a good reason that justified ordering the test, I typically advised them it was a waste of resources.

A great article in the New York Times discusses the importance of educating medical students and residents about treating patients while considering the cost of care. It also outlines what some medical schools are doing to better educate students about this issue. Yasmin Meah MD, a former colleague of mine from Mount Sinai, is quoted in this article and there is a corresponding video about the East Harlem Outreach Program (a Mount Sinai student-run free clinic) where she is interviewed.

Another aspect of this issue should also be considered, however. Sometimes patients insist on having certain tests ordered based on what they have read or heard on television. Many doctors find that, at times, it is easier to simply order a test they feel may be unnecessary, rather than try to convince a patient that the test is not needed.

Physicians Working Part Time

An interesting article in the New York Times today outlines the findings of a survey study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 2006, 1 in 4 pediatricians were working part time; 36% of women were working part time and 8% of men. These physicians reported greater levels of satisfaction in their work, personal and family lives than their full time colleagues. With more women entering medical school, part time practice may become commonplace and I believe that more men may join this trend.

On a completely anecdotal level, most of my female physician friends and colleagues who have children, work part time. A career in medicine offers flexible options -- a luxury that most of my friends in business and law do not have.

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Think You Won't Be Practicing Geriatrics? Think Again.

See my latest blog entry on Medscape.

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