Do you think that it is a good idea that doctor training is reduced to 4 years in the UK? Would you feel safe?

Question:

There is a proposal to reduce medical training from 5 years, plus a year as a PRHO, to 4 years in the UK. This is to bring it in line with Europe and America. Now, a lot of Europeans come here because we are supposed to have the best training, and a lot of the American medical boards look at the British system with a degree of respect. Now, considering a lot of doctors qualify without even knowing how to prescribe properly after 5 years, how safe would you feel if the training was reduced? Bear in mind that Pharmacy training has been increased to 5 years, and nurse training takes 3.

Answers:
My husband is a third year med student in the US. He'll go through a total of four years as a student. (Split in half, two years in classroom, two years doing clinical rotations with preceptors.) Then he'll do an intern year followed by a 3 year long residency. He's going into IM and Peds. Other specialities have differing residency lengths. A board certified residency is required for licensing in the US, along with passing the USMLE exams along the way.

Is this similar to the education for docs in the UK?

If it's similar, I wouldn't have a problem with it. In all, it's at least 8 years worth of post-graduate schooling/training. That's adequate for a family care doc. Surgeons in the US have longer residencies. I'd imagine it would be the same in the UK, too.

But please, correct me if I'm wrong. It's certainly happened before!

Other Answers:
It's not the amount of time that is important, it is the quality of time.

the people that become doctors in the uk are not trustworthy in the first place. when you hear about what they do while they're training and in university, my friend, you would never feel safe ever again.

Doctors are a scary bunch at best. I have heard that if you go into the hospital for a minor procedure and will be under general anaesthesia, it is a good idea before you go in to magic marker on your arms and legs in big letters "DO NOT AMPUTATE". You don't want to go in for some minor thing and come out with no legs. Happens all the time.
Source(s):
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This answer contains a substance known by the state of California to cause excessive moronic stupidity. Use with adequate ventilation.

Being from the UK myself, us i an very worried, it has taken many years for my doctors to address a persistent knee problem, i was 9 when i stared showing signs of bad joints.

And now I'm nearly 21 they have only JUST decided to operate.
I know this is rare but at the end of the day we trust these people with our lives.. You at least want to know your going to be OK.

Extremely bad idea!
lt's totally impossible to cram such a complex programme into 4 years!lt would mean no breaks or holidays. And nobody can keep that level of study and work up for that long without breaking down.
What on earth is the GMC thinking?!
lt won't work,mark my words; the proposal will end up being scrapped.

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Do you think that it is a good idea that doctor training is reduced to 4 years in the UK? Would you feel safe?

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