While many months throughout the year are designated for the appreciation and celebration of different people and causes, July marks a time of skepticism and worry for many people who are frequent visitors of medical establishments. This is because on July 1, many medical students throughout the U.S. begin their residencies at teaching hospitals, essentially transferring care to young doctors fresh out of medical school. Some studies found that medication errors increased 10 percent during the month of July at teaching hospitals, giving patients of new resident doctors a sense of uneasiness. This feeling of skepticism is what’s known as the “July Effect.”
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that nearly 13,000 trainees transfer their clinic populations to rookies each July, a handoff that affects approximately two million patients a year. Other studies, including one in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed an average of eight percent increase in mortality along with evidence of worsening efficiency, including longer lengths of stay, higher charges and incorrect prescriptions. Teaching hospitals are one of a select few organizations that go through “cohort turnover,” or the exchange of many workers with new workers at a single point in time, making the average experience of a teaching hospital’s staff abruptly decline.
Not only are these new doctors developing their clinical skills, but each batch of interns must learn the rules, regulations and standard operating procedures within their new medical facility. With the mind preoccupied with learning the ropes, many resident doctors experience lapse in judgment and attention to fine details.
While scientifically unfounded, the rise in medical errors and complications during this month of handover should not be ignored. That’s why Dr. David Siambanes, founder of Scoliosis Care, recommends that anyone with a serious scoliosis-related problem or issue needing medical attention at this time of year visit an experienced medical professional rather than a doctor who is just a few weeks into their residency. Unless the pain being experienced is new or severe, it may be best to visit a specialist, such as a spine surgeon or orthopedic specialist.
To speak with a spine specialist with decades of experience, contact Scoliosis Care and schedule an appointment today!
