Chase DiMarco talks to Dr. Abdullah Chahin, who is board certified in both infectious diseases and critical care medicine. He is also an assistant professor and the program director for internal medicine at Brown University’s School of Medicine. He also holds a teaching position at Tufts University School of Medicine. Chase and Dr. Chahin discuss the current state of medical education, its challenges, and the changes that can be made it to improve it.
- [02:28] Biggest Challenge Facing Today’s Residents
- [05:42] Managing Residents’ Expectations
- [07:35] Residency Application & Medical Knowledge
- [14:32] How can International Medical Graduates Stand Out?
- [20:00] Dr. Chahin’s Advice to Medical Students and Residents
Biggest Challenge Facing Today’s Residents
A lot of students forget that doctors do more than just diagnose and treat patients. They also handle administration, documentation, and other behind the scenes work. Medical schools overlook the importance of teaching its students about the healthcare system. Consequently, residents may find it challenging to navigate and understand the significance of such a bureaucratic structure. As residency programs near its end, more tasks are delegated onto the resident because they’re being trained to function within the healthcare system.
Residency Application & Medical Knowledge
Since residency programs use scores as a screening measure, medical schools tailored its curriculum so students can do well on tests. The emphasis is on attaining high exam scores instead of producing well-rounded clinicians. This is just one of the many dysfunctional processes in medical education. How medical knowledge is taught will need to change in order to improve residency applications.
Dr. Chahin’s Advice to Medical Students and Residents
There is a huge increase in responsibility when students finally become physicians. Doctors are expected to be fully present in their practice. As a student or intern, you do not have the same obligations but you eventually will. Put in effort as early as now for when you inevitably assume the role of a professional clinician. Pay attention to your coursework and really engage in your rotations because all of this preparation is to help you become a better physician.
Reach out to Dr. Chahin by sending a message to his LinkedIn profile or to his email.
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