The bill is to be presented in the coming weeks. The changes are to include the formula of final examinations, the system of granting residencies, and the key point of the project is the shortening of the postgraduate internship to half a year. Until now, it was 13 months for doctors and 12 months for dentists. According to calculations, such a reform would allow for significant savings. Currently, organizing internships costs the Ministry of Health approximately PLN 1.2 billion annually, reports Rynek Zdrowia.
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Doctors do not want internships to be shortened. They indicate, among others: on patient safety
Doctors express doubts about shortening the internship. They warn that the change may negatively affect the quality of education for young doctors and patient safety. They indicate the nature of work at that time. “A doctor works under greater supervision, in a safe atmosphere. He has the opportunity to find out which specialization he likes, what predispositions he has or does not have,” says Damian Patecki, chairman of the Medical Education Committee of the Supreme Medical Chamber.
The idea is also criticized by Tadeusz Urban, MD, PhD, president of the Silesian Medical Chamber. “Even the most modern simulation centers cannot replace real contact with a sick person for a young doctor,” he says in an interview with the portal. He adds that the result may be a greater number of resignations from residencies, discouragement and frustration among novice doctors, and even professional burnout. “A phantom is not a patient,” Urban adds to journalists.
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The project also includes more difficult exams and additional residencies
The draft amendment will also include proposals supported by doctors. The first is the more difficult formula of the LEK and LDEK exams. The public database of test questions would be eliminated. The Ministry also plans to change the system of granting residences. It provides for the possibility of an additional residency for doctors who will specialize in internal diseases, surgery or pediatrics.
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