Expert Says Repeated Questioning At Teaching Hospitals Benefits Patients
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If you've ever been a patient at a teaching hospital, such as Penn, Temple or Jefferson, undoubtedly you've had to repeat your medical history and symptoms a number of times to different people. There is a reason for that.
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education at Temple University School of Medicine Dr. Larry Kaplan understands that repeating yourself particularly when you are sick can be trying, "But even if you repeat questions, sometimes in a different manner reveals information that can change the management of the patient."
He says this benefits the patients in several ways, "What I'd like to say to the patient is they are going to ask a question that may actually provide additional information, because they have the time to ask the questions the attending physicians don't. And it's to a degree asking for their participation because they are participating in the education of future physicians."
If you do not want to be treated by a Medical student or resident, he says you are well within your rights to refuse. Ultimately, Dr. Kaplan says physicians want a patient to feel comfortable.
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio 1060
