More Musculoskeletal Education Needed
Continuing medical education is vital to the future of America’s healthcare system. The confluence of our growing population, the aging of our citizenry, and the influx of new patients through the Affordable Care Act makes it imperative that we properly train the next generation of healthcare providers and make sure that each community has the resources and competencies it needs to respond to consumer demand.
Today nearly 8,000 accredited residency programs spanning 27 specialties exist nationwide. Through these programs, students are exposed to a wide range of educational experiences and learn firsthand the importance of personal commitment, communication and compassion. But while this real-life training encompasses a multitude of medical fields, some of the most important to today’s society remain woefully ignored.
As an example, musculoskeletal conditions consume enormous social and health resources worldwide. Yet despite the fact that most people will, at some time in their life, suffer from a problem in this area, there remains inadequate education on this topic at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many medical schools, in fact, do not require any clinical training at all in assessing patients with bone and joint problems and fail to adequately acknowledge that musculoskeletal complaints are the second most common reason for consultation (exceeded only by respiratory disorders). As a result of this inadequate preparation, many doctors lack the skills and confidence to manage this condition in their daily practice. They may not even recognize conditions or be aware of the fact that today new treatment options are available that can improve a person’s functioning and diminish the pain. This is doing a great disservice to both patient and physician. It is time that we arrive upon agreed standards and clearly defined outcomes for medical education in this and other under-represented areas. Only then can we be sure that the growing needs of our citizenry will be properly addressed.
At the same time, it is important that institutions not rely solely on academicians and instead find proactive ways to do their part in medical education. At Orthopaedic Institute for Children (OIC), we consider this an important ingredient in our mission, from our clinical and research fellowship program to the OIC/UCLA resident training program. More than 50 students, residents, and fellows train with OIC physicians and staff each year.
With UCLA, for example, we forged a far-reaching alliance to broaden the scope of both organizations and bring new and expanded programs for patient care, research and education in musculoskeletal disorders to Los Angeles and beyond. This partnership has provided enhanced opportunities for research and education as scientists and clinicians work together in close proximity, stimulating the cross-fertilization of theories, knowledge and experience that generates valuable new ideas and therapies, moving breakthroughs from bench to bedside quickly and safely. By working together in this matter, the OIC/UCLA residency program has created a platform for unparalleled contributions to patient care and scientific discovery in orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal medicine and has the capacity to lead advancements in musculoskeletal patient care, research and education worldwide.
It is not just the residents who benefit from such programs. Patients benefit because national research shows that institutions with residency programs offer improved patient outcomes. Existing medical and nursing staff benefit because exposure to residents challenges them to keep abreast of the latest technologies and procedures and perpetuates lifelong learning. And the community benefits because many residents find themselves returning upon graduation to practice locally and thus ensuring the future of care in the community.
Let those of us in the daily practice of healthcare delivery reaffirm our commitment to this important undertaking and, by doing so, fully acknowledge that supporting medical education is a good investment, now and for the future.
Anthony A. Scaduto, M.D., is president and chief executive officer of Orthopaedic Institute for Children in Los Angeles.
