Medical students are skipping placements . . . to study

Medical students were once able to devote their time to becoming apprentices on the hospital ward. Students from previous generations could focus on gaining clinical experience that would help them in everyday practice. UK medical students today, however, have to juggle this learning alongside an increasing number of expectations, from obtaining multiple sign-offs and performing audits, to practising reflective writing, to gaining teaching and leadership experience.The foundation year 1 (FY1) doctors of today are highly accomplished, yet over one in three FY1s feel underprepared when starting their new jobs, according to a survey by the General Medical Council (GMC).1 I likely represent a large proportion of recent graduates in that, despite passing my final exams and having audits, conference presentations, and teaching experience under my belt, I can count on one hand the number of arterial blood gases, catheters, or nasogastric tubes I ever attempted in medical school.The focus of…
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