Med schools considering shortening programs

This transcript is automatically generated

You know on this will report and you'll decide that there is a report out there that reveals what could become a troubling trend in US hospitals suggesting that surgeons.

Are making major errors more than 4000 times a year are.

And the news is coming at the same time that some medical schools really good ones are considering shortening the time it takes to become a doctor from four years to three.

Creating growing questions as to whether three years really provides enough training.

And whether or not the current -- is even enough to begin with joining me now doctor Steven -- of New -- -- hospital doctor -- great to see you.

Be deceived him first let's talk about the mistakes.

That are made how troubling is the trend.

Well it's nothing new and if you look at it it's actually the trend is decreasing but no mistake is acceptable when you're dealing with surgery in people's lives.

But there its basic things that people can do that insurgents as well as the patience to avoid the mistakes.

For example when you're going to get over right leg operated on.

The doctor should take -- walker and out and put a note on the right like this is that like to be operated on very basic stuff you never make a mistake ground.

What happens -- -- -- doctor makes the wrong site surgery because they have the patient is flipped on his back or stomach the right and left there obviously were Burris.

The -- the patient should also make sure that it's the right patient being operated on by saying -- mrs.

Jones in my the correct patient you're talking about again just communication.

Blood -- doctors are rushing and they don't take the time to do this sponges and -- equipment have been left behind divisions -- Very simply if you measure the -- -- used at the beginning of the surgery and the number you have at the end there should be equal if you're missing -- -- you better start looking for something.

And then finally the timeout very important before the -- gets started.

Everybody should say let's take a time out okay.

I've got mrs.

Jones I'm going to be doing gallbladder surgery does everybody agree with the rehearsal then say I agreed that technician would greet the anesthesiologist will agree.

He's a basic things and actually the joint commission of -- print -- have been stressing these so.

But I think we're gonna see a marked decrease in the number these wrong site surgeries -- mistakes but right now we haven't seen the effect of the the new -- policies that would instituted.

You know I'm really glad that you're telling you -- excuse me patients what to do because I found myself having surgery on Friday -- my wrist and the doctor autograph.

The right wrist that he was supposed to do the left won so deeply that it can't even get it off.

-- but I was very good feel good and yes I feel very -- cognizant of being asked three times my name and everything and I hope that patients will take your advice seriously.

You don't want to have surgery you don't need.

Now let's talk about the medical schools and what they're considering doing first we have Libby Zion of the famous case in New York where.

Residents surgical residents didn't want to work more than forty hours a week because they get tired.

Well contrast that to getting less school.

Where how -- you probably going that direction it's NYU is one of the schools.

There what are the top schools.

I mean we've had no change the curriculum -- the list through 6070 is a -- maybe it's time to reevaluate how would teaching -- right now we have doctors getting out with.

Financially and tremendous debt right 150000 -- -- 50000 dollars in debt.

They've been studying a lot of things which are no longer that necessary to study reality.

Yeah I mean this that this can look.

This the one what good way to teach anatomy knows he was the -- -- him.

To use that anatomy in the cast Guinness airfare identified accounts in his delivered his displaying instead of the old way the -- is that the wood and a book.

And here's an opportunity to consolidate two areas of medical training one.

The cats can be -- in training which is clinical along with the local knowledge that takes place in the first two years.

Well that's interesting actually making the cost less mining courage people to want to -- doctors.

And then if you you truly believe as someone who has been teaching.

Medical students and residents in such that it would be okay for patients to have.

One year less.

I think is it if we reevaluate the curriculum -- This two ways to do it one you could just shift all the time during the summer and have more good days and then you have the same number of hours Richard -- in three years.

Is -- to -- -- say of course the living expenses.

Food expenses and so on so that's one thing -- done or we could reevaluate the curriculum and make it.

More in keeping with what what we have the advances that have gone on the technical side can be incorporated into the medical teachings.

Very very very interest and doctor -- thank you for joining us.

But to things when it happens because this seemed to you whether or not Kelly the spreads across the country would be nice to see.

Watch Live

Med schools considering shortening programs

Details

Clips

Editor's Picks

Gutfeld: World, meet radical Islam

Rep. Cantor: Lois Lerner owes Americans an 'explanation'

What evidence will be key in George Zimmerman trial?

Lawmakers overlooking CIA's role in Benghazi attack?

British PM David Cameron vows to never give in to terror

Did IRS official wave Fifth Amendment rights at hearing?

Biking with Bush: Wounded vets join president for ride

Did Benghazi attack derail Romney's presidential campaign?

Ft. Hood shooter still cashing his government paycheck

Does your insurance cover disaster?

Miller Time: IRS scandal and DOJ

Is the Obama administration not pursuing Benghazi clues?

Transcript

Recommended