Supervised residents are just as capable of providing safe and high-quality care as fully trained physicians, according to a study published in BMC Medicine.
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and University of California Los Angeles collected nearly 100 articles published between 2004 and 2011 that related to residency training, post-graduate training and patient treatment.
The majority of studies included in this systematic review showed that patient care is safe and of equal quality to fully qualified doctors, when delivered by residents, especially those whose inexperience was balanced with teaching by more experienced staff.
"A minority of results found some negative patient outcomes and several studies found that patient outcomes improved throughout the residency period. We would recommend that for all residents, adequate supervision and evaluation, plus extra time to perform operations, is essential to maintain patient care," a study author wrote.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and University of California Los Angeles collected nearly 100 articles published between 2004 and 2011 that related to residency training, post-graduate training and patient treatment.
The majority of studies included in this systematic review showed that patient care is safe and of equal quality to fully qualified doctors, when delivered by residents, especially those whose inexperience was balanced with teaching by more experienced staff.
"A minority of results found some negative patient outcomes and several studies found that patient outcomes improved throughout the residency period. We would recommend that for all residents, adequate supervision and evaluation, plus extra time to perform operations, is essential to maintain patient care," a study author wrote.
More Articles on Patient Safety:
FDA Commissioner: Patient Safety Must Be Prioritized Over Job Creation
Joint Commission Releases Tool to Combat Miscommunication
Congress Passes FDA Safety and Innovation Act With Drug Shortage Provisions
