Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Where are the medical students during the pandemic?

Lilian White
Conditions
March 28, 2020
954 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Not in hospitals. Not in the clinics.

Not spending an hour suturing a laceration, so the resident is available to help others.

Not reminding the team that it’s the day, and we should consider stopping the antibiotics.

Not presenting on the latest COVID-19 treatment updates during rounds.

Not writing the history and physical for the 4th admission the morning  – or for that matter, the progress notes and discharge summaries that are piling up.

Not calling the lab about a tardy test result.

Not suggesting another diagnosis to add to the differential.

Not checking on the patient who’s taking a turn for the worse in the quiet corner of the emergency department.

Not gaining practical medical knowledge, so when we need them, they are ready.

On March 17th, the AAMC released guidance on medical students’ clinical participation, encouraging schools to place, “At a minimum, a 2-week suspension on their medical students’ participation in any activities that involve patient contact.” The rationale provided was two-fold: 1) For schools to take time to educate students on COVID-19 and appropriate safety precautions; and, 2) Conservation of personal protective equipment (PPE).

While the 2-week suspension for preparation and education is reasonable, many medical schools have extended this period with no definite end in sight for clinical students. For organizations to emphasize that students are a part of “the medical team,” but exclude them when their help could actually be the most beneficial is shocking and disappointing.

Medical students make substantial contributions to patient care. All of the above reasons are just a few of the many ways medical students are a critical member of the care team. Their presence has been shown to even reduce medical error. These skills and knowledge should be even more valuable during a time when our hospitals and clinics are being overwhelmed by patients, and health care personnel are becoming ill or burnt out.

In their most recent recommendations to medical schools on March 23rd, the AAMC stated: “Opportunities to volunteer should be offered to students only if there is a critical HCW need for them to do so.” Why are we keeping hundreds of intelligent, helping hands away from patients who need our highest quality of care now more than ever? Why are we not training them on how to navigate this changing world of medicine? Why are we waiting for their help when we need it most and when they will be the most inexperienced?

If it’s a question of PPE supplies, there are options to limit medical students’ responsibilities to those patients who require little to no use of the increasingly scarce disposable PPE and avoid contact with patients considered a person under investigation or being treated for COVID-19. Though we have a pandemic of COVID-19, patients will continue to experience other medical conditions that must be addressed. In addition, if medical students are utilized appropriately, the benefit may outweigh the cost of PPE used.

If it’s a matter of spreading COVID-19 while students are asymptomatic, does the health care system plan to remove other healthy, young medical personnel such as nurses, patient care assistants, and medical technicians? Of course not. The value these individuals bring to the patient care team is obvious. Students with their 3 to 4 years of training in medicine also contribute generously to patient care.

Some medical schools are altering requirements for graduation and allowing 4th-year students to enter the field to provide much-needed help. While this is a step in the right direction, I believe more should be done to involve medical students earlier in their training.

The question should not be “if,” but “when” and “how” to involve medical students in clinical care. And the sooner, the better for all involved. Medical students are a vital part of health care. We are doing them and our patients an increasing disservice by keeping them out of the hospital.

Lilian White is a medical student.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Our work as anesthesiologists in the post-normal era

March 28, 2020 Kevin 0
…
Next

Medicine is a team sport, and we will only beat this pandemic if we work together

March 28, 2020 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: COVID, Hospital-Based Medicine, Infectious Disease, Medical school

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Our work as anesthesiologists in the post-normal era
Next Post >
Medicine is a team sport, and we will only beat this pandemic if we work together

More by Lilian White

  • An open letter to graduating medical students

    Lilian White

Related Posts

  • How the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for social media training in medical education 

    Oscar Chen, Sera Choi, and Clara Seong
  • Medical students are benched during the pandemic

    Clayton Korson
  • Will the pandemic derail medical students’ career paths?

    Allison Linehan
  • An open letter to graduating medical students

    Lilian White
  • Advice for first-year medical students

    Jamie Katuna
  • Physicians and medical students: Unlearn helplessness

    Jamie Katuna

More in Conditions

  • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

    Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD
  • Proposed USPSTF guideline update: Advocating for earlier breast cancer screening at age 40

    Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
  • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

    Alice S. Y. Lee, MD
  • Urgent innovation needed to address growing mental health crisis among children and families

    Monika Roots, MD
  • The importance of listening in health care: a mother’s journey advocating for children with chronic Lyme disease

    Cheryl Lazarus
  • The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

    Lien Morcate
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The tragic story of Mr. G: a painful journey towards understanding suicide

      William Lynes, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Decoding the brain’s decision-making: insights for medical professions and strategies for success

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Unmasking the truth: the shocking reality of the opioid epidemic and who’s really to blame

      Jay K. Joshi, MD | Physician
    • Discover your true north: Navigating life’s confusions and embracing your path to success

      Tyler Jorgensen, MD | Physician
    • A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Unlock financial freedom: The physician’s guide to lucrative multifamily syndications and wealth accumulation

      Pranay Parikh, MD | Finance

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 2 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • More Anxious Kids Medicated; Apple's Mental Health Moves; OTC Video Game for ADHD
  • ADHD Meds Linked to Lower Suicide Risk in Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Promising Gene Therapy for Overactive Bladder
  • The Case for Mandatory LGBTQ+ Health Education in Medical School
  • Shotgun Sequencing of Small Intestine Reveals Species Tied to GI Symptom Severity

Meeting Coverage

  • Promising Gene Therapy for Overactive Bladder
  • Shotgun Sequencing of Small Intestine Reveals Species Tied to GI Symptom Severity
  • FGFR Inhibitor Stakes Claim to Post-Anti-PD-1 Role in Advanced Bladder Cancer
  • Multimorbidity Patterns and Healthcare Utilization in Vets With Schizophrenia
  • Checkpoint Blockade Stumbles in Advanced EGFR-Mutant NSCLC
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The tragic story of Mr. G: a painful journey towards understanding suicide

      William Lynes, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Decoding the brain’s decision-making: insights for medical professions and strategies for success

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Unmasking the truth: the shocking reality of the opioid epidemic and who’s really to blame

      Jay K. Joshi, MD | Physician
    • Discover your true north: Navigating life’s confusions and embracing your path to success

      Tyler Jorgensen, MD | Physician
    • A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Unlock financial freedom: The physician’s guide to lucrative multifamily syndications and wealth accumulation

      Pranay Parikh, MD | Finance

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Where are the medical students during the pandemic?
2 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...