LMS President’s Message, December 2018
Tuyen T. Tran, MD, MBA
At our last LMS General Meeting, November 13, 2018, our key speaker, Dr. Robert DiPaola, Dean of UK Medical College of Medicine, provided a wonderful update of UK’s initiatives to include expansion of medical school campuses in Bowling Green, Morehead, and Northern Kentucky University. Additionally, we learned about some of the exciting advances in translation of multidisciplinary research to develop precision medical treatment for our patients. There were many questions after the presentation; but, Dr. Khalil Rahman’s question led to a great discussion. How can community physicians participate in the training of residents and fellows?
Medical school and residency/fellowship training programs are often distinguished by whether the programs are university-based (academic) or community-based. According to many sources, the education and training are comparable. Objective structured clinical examinations did not show a difference (footnotes 1 & 2). National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) scores and testing for clerkships in pediatrics (footnote 3), surgery (footnote 4), emergency medicine (footnote 5), and OB-GYN (footnote 6) also did not reveal differences. Although university-based programs have significant advantages such as strong faculty, quality curriculum, and prestige, community-based programs can often augment the educational/training experience. Community hospitals are often more closely aligned with the community. Residents/Fellows gain practical experience from community physicians and a better understanding of the community where they are likely to practice after training. This may also explain the fact that many residents who have been exposed to community settings are more likely to participate in the community after graduation.
And with the shortage of physicians projected, community-based physicians are well positioned to assist university-based programs increase the capacity for training.
It appears that many of our community physicians are interested and willing to participate in the education and training of our future physicians. Community-based physicians will augment the university’s strong faculty and quality curriculum. While there are no specific plans or discussions, Dr. DiPaola was very receptive to the idea.
Another question posed to Dr. DiPaola was why there seems to be a lack of UK physicians’ engagement in the Lexington Medical Society and Kentucky Medical Association. The LMS’ mission is to be the voice for physicians in area. But we are missing many physicians, specifically UK physicians. Dr. DiPaola’s response was affirmative, “That is why I am here tonight.“ Similarly, there are no specific plans or discussions; but, Dr. DiPaola stated that this will be an issue he wanted to address.
Amazingly, the year of my presidency has advanced very rapidly. I want to thank everyone for offering me this incredible opportunity to serve as your president. I hope I have not disappointed anyone. I specifically want to thank Chris Hickey, Cyndi Madison, and all the awesome staff at the LMS who have supported me during this tremendous year. And of course, I want to thank Pat Padgett for the incredible support. I will continue to work on the two projects above.
Thank you to all our LMS members and LMS staff!
References
1 Carney PA, Ogrinc G, Harwood BG, et al. The influence of teaching setting on medical students’ clinical skills development: is the academic medical center the “gold standard”? Acad Med. 2005;80(12):1153–1158.
2 Satran L, Harris IB, Allen S, et al. Hospital-based versus community-based clinical education: comparing performances and course evaluations by students in their second-year pediatrics rotation. Acad Med. 1993;68(5):380–382.
3 McCurdy FA, Beck GL, Kollath JP, et al. Pediatric clerkship experience and performance in the Nebraska Education Consortium: a community vs university comparison. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1999;153(9):989–994.
4 Williams M, Ambrose M, Carlin AM, et al. Evaluation of academic and community surgery clerkships at a Midwestern medical school. J Surg Res. 2004;116(1):11–13.
5 Kroot LJ, Barlow W, Murphy-Spencer A. Comparison and evaluation of the clinical experience of fourth-year medical students in a mandatory emergency medicine clerkship at university and community hospitals. Med Teach. 2001;23(3):310–312.
6 Myles TD. Obstetrics and gynecology final examination scores at university and community hospitals. A comparison. J Reprod Med. 2001;46(4):371–375.
