Not Like They Used To: The Decline of Procedural Competency in Medical Training

PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Essay

The Vanishing Skills of Medicine: Restoring Procedural Competency in Medical Training

Background:This essay reflects on the decline of procedural competency among medical trainees, attributing the trend to changes in work-hour restrictions, evolving staffing models, and reliance on advanced technology. The author contrasts the rigorous procedural training of previous generations with the limited opportunities available to today’s medical residents.

Key Argument: The reduction in procedural training has far-reaching consequences for patients, physicians, and the health care system. Physicians’ inability to perform core procedures leads to fragmented care, increased costs, and health care inequities, especially in under-resourced settings. The author argues for reinvigorating medical training by incorporating simulation, supervised practice, and mentorship from experienced clinicians.

Why It Matters:This essay highlights an urgent need to address gaps in medical training. Procedural skills are essential not only for patient care but also for physicians’ confidence and professional satisfaction. The author calls for systemic changes, including creating new learning opportunities and leveraging the expertise of senior clinicians before their knowledge is lost.

Not Like They Used To: The Decline of Procedural Competency in Medical Training

Eleanor R. Menzin, MD

Department of General Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Longwood Pediatrics, Boston,

Massachusetts