The myth of July syndrome

June 29, 2004

The NY Times today writes about the so-called July syndrome – the time when the new house staff start at teaching hospitals across the country. There is no data to support worse patient outcomes in July – although I can certainly remember the potential for disaster.

My very first day was being the night-float intern at the former Boston City Hospital. This meant cross-covering every medical patient in the hospital, with tasks ranging from drawing blood cultures and putting in IVs to dealing with psychotic outbursts. And to think I was a medical student just 24-hours before. Talk about trial by fire.



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{ 2 comments }

1 Dr. Kay July 6, 2004 at 8:54 am

The tourniquet thing is a great example. One thing that I have a query about. When do these Medical students first get exposed to clinical practice in the US? Over here in Kerala, India, we start learning about these in the 3rd year of School. By the time we are starting our internship we alread know the basics like IV cannulation.

2 Dr. Kay July 6, 2004 at 8:57 am

The tourniquet thing is a great example. One thing that I have a query about. When do these Medical students first get exposed to clinical practice in the US? Over here in Kerala, India, we start learning about these in the 3rd year of School. By the time we are starting our internship we alread know the basics like IV cannulation.

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