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Facts vs judgement and empathy in doctors

Med students are made to study facts.
.........to regurgitate facts on demand.
.........are tested on facts.
So that becomes their goal in school.
On rounds the one who can regurgitate the most facts is commended.
In case discussion conferences fellows and faculty often are expected to do the same.

What thay need is to learn, judgement, discrimination, empathy and ethics.

That is difficult to teach .......to learn.......to model................to test.

So facts is where the focus remains.

Unfortunately facts in medicine change regularly, frequently.

Current system of medical education and training produces doctors who regurgitate facts on demand, score high on tests of old facts , believe those old facts and act decisively on that knowledge.

A focus on judgement is finally possible and very desirable in this era of vast amount of facts avaialable on finger tips.
Facts easy with iPads iPhone in hand and all the resources of the largest medical libraries just a tap away.
So ability to learn, research information, do a great history, physical eexam, develop decision making skills and judgement, learn ethics and spend time with patients and family so empathy for the sick becomes ingrained. is what
That is where medical school teaching should focus on, test on and 

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