Learning outside of patient care

Abstract

Although physicians are expected to teach patients, colleagues and learners, very few of us receive any formal education in how best to do this. Resident physicians (residents) spend at least 48 weeks per year directly involved in patient care. There is often no “administrative” time or portion of FTE for “education and curriculum development” for residents. Although direct patient care is the most important component of residency training, the key to future improvement and innovation in our healthcare system requires more than just good patient care skills during training. All residents should be given a two-week rotation without patient care, with medical education being an incredibly important one that should be offered to all residents.