Minnesota Physician October 2012

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Volume XXVll, No. 7

October 2012

The Independent Medical Business Newspaper

A perspective on med ed Past and future trends By Macaran A. Baird, MD, MS

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graduated from residency in 1978, practiced family medicine and had leadership roles in medicine for much of the next 35 years, and have been head of the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health since 2002. What follows is my perspective on what has—and hasn’t—changed over the years in medical education and the medical profession, and what this means for the students who will be our future physicians.

What’s the same?

In thinking over the many changes that have occurred in medical education and medical practice since I entered med school, I’m struck by one particular thing that hasn’t changed: It is still a tremendous privilege to be a physician. As long as we are still prepared to earn the patient’s trust, we can join in partnership to learn about patients’ lives and help

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PROFESSION to page 10

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

The changing face of medicine

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Detriot Lakes, MN Permit No. 2655

Evolution of a profession

n medicine, change is a constant. Changes in technology, payment methods, medical procedures and medications, health system organization and regulation, medical education—they are all part and parcel of practicing medicine. To get a sense of what it’s like to practice medicine today, we asked seven physicians, whose experience spans five decades of medical practice, to respond to a few questions about their experience in the medical profession. We also asked two current medical school students to comment on their education experience, professional and personal aspirations, and expectations of medical practice. Though the contributors’ backgrounds, perspectives, and experience vary substantially, their remarks call to mind William

MED ED to page 18

Presidential candidates Page 8


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