Comments on: What can doctors learn from Captain Chesley Sullenberger?

By: Christian Molstrom

Christian Molstrom — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:37:00 +0000

At least in the ED and in anesthesia, training programs are getting better at setting up simulation lab with a manickin that breathes, throat swells, talks, etc. The technology is getting quite good. I’ve used them as a med student and I have to say that they are great way to “burn” certain cases and protocols into your head before you confront an actual patient.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:19:00 +0000

You mean the aviation provider?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:53:00 +0000

This was a routine short flight done many times daily. Why are the airlines and government driving up prices unnecessarily by requiring highly trained, experienced pilots?

Surely a midlevel such as a pilot assistant or flight attendant with additional training could this by using established protocols for far less cost. If something came up out of the ordinary, they would know to call their supervising pilot.

By: Manalive

Manalive — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:08:00 +0000

A better question is; what can the government learn from this episode?
How’s this: when geese are consistently in the flightpath of a major airport, don’t listen to the animal rights activists. Use common sense — don’t wait for the results of a controlled study — and shoot the damn geese.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:03:00 +0000

I am an obstetric trainee in UK and have to (i.e. produce documentation on an annual basis) do “skills drills” every year. This is done with midwives and anaesthetic colleagues, who are also going to respond if any of the situations arise in real life. Instruments are available, drugs (at correct doses with appropriate dilutants!) are drawn up and there is extensive discussion afterwards. I don’t think this is as rare as is portrayed in your posting.

By: Frank Drackman

Frank Drackman — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:10:00 +0000

OK, might be worthwhile in this era where doctors graduate med school having never started an IV…but does anyone in a real residency not know how to run a code??..And check how many hours Capt Sullenberger spends in the cockpit.. its about 80 hours a MONTH..not that theres anything wrong with that..

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:04:00 +0000

This is one area where the military is ahead of civilian medicine. The Air Force, which has always been a leader in air crew training and mishap analysis, has been applying that same training to its medical service for years. It was well done.
I’m not seen any similar training in civilian medicine.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Training like that must be renewed regularly.

Who you gonna charge for it? Airline pilots are most certainly on the clock when they do this training.

That's the kind of thing that a salaried position offers.