

However, these instructions varied from students being required to introduce themselves explicitly as a "student," to encouraging students simply to clarify their status, to a small proportion that advised students to introduce themselves as "doctors." A large proportion of medical schools' deans responded that their students received either verbal or written instructions on how they should introduce themselves. They found that a majority of hospitals did not specifically inform patients of medical student involvement. In the mid-1980s, investigators surveyed both medical schools and major teaching hospitals to determine whether policies had been implemented to comply with these guidelines. Participation by patients in clinical training programs should be voluntary." Together, these statements make clear that it is inappropriate to assume that a patient is implicitly willing to participate in the training of medical students or other health professionals merely by being admitted to an academic medical center.
#THEME HOSPITAL CONSULTANT TRAINING PROFESSIONAL#
In 1973, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (DHEW) convened a Secretary's Commission on Medical Malpractice, which recommended that: ".the patient who is about to enter should be told fully what to expect." Upon admission he should be given a statement explaining the educational aims and activities of the institution and told how students, interns, and residents will participate in his care." In support of the recommendation, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (now the JCAHO) promulgated the following guideline: "The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing service to him.this includes the patient's right to know of the existence of any professional relationship.to any.educational institutions involved in his care. Current practices in academic medical centers This report elaborates on informing patients of medical students' training status and on ensuring patients' willingness to participate in student training. Others patients will value the opportunity to participate in the training of students in the context of receiving care in a teaching institution. Even so, some patients may prefer that students not be involved in their care. Students' limited experience is counter-balanced by the supervisory structure of medical teams and patient care generally is enhanced by the involvement of medical students.

Patients and the public benefit from the integrated care that is provided by health care teams that include medical students and other trainees. Initially, students may be mere observers, but soon they assume more responsibilities, such as monitoring the condition of patients and even becoming involved directly in treatment. Much to the benefit of patients and medical education, medical students are participating in patient care from the start of their medical education.
