Tuesday August 21, 2007
Seek advice, young docs told
By AUDREY EDWARDS
PETALING JAYA: Junior doctors need to change their attitude and ask questions from more experienced physicians when they are in doubt to ensure effective medical care is delivered.
In turn, those in senior positions, including specialists, should spend more time training junior doctors.
Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said that junior physicians should know their limitations and ask for help.
“Don’t just simply do it,” he said in an interview with The Star.
“They do not open their mouths. They are either reluctant or very scared to interact with their senior colleagues. Maybe they are unsure when to ask for help.”
Senior doctors could also do their part by encouraging and motivating junior doctors to put aside the “fear culture” and ask them questions.
Another aspect of training junior doctors that needed to be looked at, he said, was how to ensure they gathered enough experience in treating patients.
He said greater effort needed to be put into teaching rounds and clinical case presentation by senior physicians and specialists such as having a “grand round” every week involving all doctors. He said while the practise was currently in place, more in-depth discussions were needed.
That was the best way to identify and discuss problems, although it was challenging to get all relevant parties to take part.
“Specialists must be reminded that their prime duty is to serve patients besides teaching house officers and young medical officers.”
Dr Ismail said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and he were concerned about the training, experience and attitude of doctors and wanted to ensure the quality of service was further enhanced.
A clinical skills laboratory for practical training was being established at every government hospital in stages where doctors and nurses could increase their competence in handling procedures and make them more confident, he added.
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