From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Elaina George, MD – https://www.americaoutloud.news/the-impact-of-social-justice-and-artificial-intelligence-in-the-future-of-medicine/
After many years in medicine, I am amazed at all the new advances and that as clinicians we are in a constant state of learning. I think back to medical school and the rigorous science courses and long hours I put in to learn the skills to give great care patients.
It’s sickening that medicine is now burdened with an increase in violence — five times more than employees in all other industries. This is not just at the hands of the mentally ill. Patients are also frustrated by difficulty in getting attention due to staffing shortages and a variety of social issues. According to a JAMA study nearly 24 percent of physicians have endured “occupational distress” by verbal insults and harassment by patients and visitors.
According to a survey of medical students in 91 countries, 21 percent are considering quitting. A whopping 60 percent are worried about their current mental health. Some contributing factors include financial and academic pressures, and the worry of future shortages and burnout. In spite of the negatives, 89 percent of the students are devoted to improving patients’ lives.
Organizations are trying to improve the well-being of health care personnel starting with the medical students. The majority of medical schools have joined many universities and instituted pass-fail grading systems. Removing grades is meant to allow students to focus on studies, not grades. Additionally, the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 (basic science) score reporting shifted from a three-digit score to a simple pass-fail.
The AMA views this licensing exam grading change as a chance to improve student well-being. However, 86.2 percent of residency program directors listed the USMLE Step 1 score as an important factor in deciding which applicants to interview. The program directors are now looking for other attributes by which to judge applicants and to look at the student more holistically. They have to rely more on letters of recommendation and personal statements.
I do believe a well-rounded person is good for communication with patients and the ability to see the patient as a whole person. But will future doctors be taught more social justice than science? After all, they can look to Chat GPT for a diagnosis.
My guest, Dr. Elaina George, and I will discuss the changing face of medicine – in education and how it is practiced in light of the social justice movement and artificial intelligence.
Dr. George’s website: http://drelainageorge.com
Living in the Solution podcast: http://drelainageorge.com/podcast-2/
Book: Big Medicine: http://drelainageorge.com/product/big-medicine/
To find an independent physician go to the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons website: https://aapsonline.org/direct-payment-cash-friendly-practices/.
Bio
Dr. Elaina George is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat physician). She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Biology and received her Masters degree in Medical Microbiology from Long Island University. She earned her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Dr George completed her residency at Manhattan, Eye Ear & Throat Hospital. She is the author of Big Medicine: The Cost of Corporate Control and How Doctors and Patients Working Together Can Rebuild a Better System, a book which explores how the U.S. healthcare system has evolved and explains how patients and doctors can create a healthcare system that is based on the principles of price transparency with the power of the doctor patient relationship. She currently also has a radio show, Living in the Solution.