Now, the Federation of State Medical Boards is studying whether to recommend that other state boards implement similar requirements. A resolution suggesting such a move was proposed by the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners at last month's FSMB meeting. Proponents of the move said medical students can learn a lot about the responsibilities and ethics they must practice by watching how some physicians are disciplined for poor patient care, substance abuse or sexual misconduct. It helps students see the light. First-hand participation in any educational experience is positive for medical students, said Ryan Grabow, chair of the AMA's Medical Student Section.
People come up with great ideas to add to curriculums.
We have limits on available time. Travel expenses for students to attend medical board meetings also could be a problem, Grabow said. The Arizona board's proposal could be difficult to administer on a national basis because of the large numbers of medical students in some states. For example, Michigan has about 600 medical students. That state board meets only six times a year, so an average of 100 students would be required to attend each meeting.