Recently in the U.K the government has been talking about changing the system of education to become a doctor. Normallly the period to become a doctor is seven years, but now the government wants to decrease it to five years, so we can increase the amount of doctors faster.
Some people are against it mainly students as it will mean more pressure to learn everything whilst others are for it because it will hopefully mean a rise in the amount of doctors.
what do you think about this?if it does happen do you think it will be a successful?

__________________
The past is what makes us who we are dont make it your burdern

A few years ago the US Army shortened their Basic Training from 12 to 8 weeks. As a result soldiers left not knowing how to fire a weapon properly and accurately, not able to defend themselves in a fight, some couldn't even read a map, and many were still in horrible shape. It has become clear from the situation in Iraq that many of our soldiers are under-trained. A few months ago, the Army went back to 12 week basic Training. And I know these things b/c I saw them with my own eyes. Cutting back on training, especially in a field like medicine is a dangerous thing.

-Demosthenes

__________________
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Basic training for only 8 weeks??? Even in the Finnish army, (based on conscripts) we use 12 weeks, and there is no way that a Finnish grunt is better trained than his American counterpart.

On topic, I can't say what the training for doctors is like now, but... Sometimes too much theory is taught, and theory mostly works on paper, not in actuality. *shrug*
We'll see in a few years how it's paying off.

In the US army you go through Basic Combat Training (this was 8 weeks and is now 12 again). After that, you go to advanced individual training, which depending on you rjob can range anywehre from 5 weeks to 80 weeks. So soldiers get training, just not necessarily in combat. And I think you make a good point about theory.

-Demosthenes

__________________
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

The amount of education and training required for a given type of employment position can and does rise and fall based on supply and demand. Simply put, if you need mundo lots of people for a given type of position real fast, training becomes shorter and if you don't need so many people for a given sort of position, the credentialing required increases. Simple as that.

My son is a junior in college. He's not only getting ready for the MCAT, he's also assisting grad students and the Biology Dept head gave him his own research project. All this and also trying to maintain his 4.00 GPA. He leaves his house about 730am and gets home about 830pm every weekday. His weekends are usually spent catching up on studies and sleep. There's no room in his schedule for a game of frisbee now. I can't see any way to squeeze in more classes and keep high standards.

Physician's Assistants can provide care for many people. The UK could provide training for RNs and others who wish to become PAs. They will take of the flu, colds, stitches and other mundane things, saving the doctors for the more critical illnesses and injuries. Problem solved.

__________________
Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked... in the head... with an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. It's a dumb question... skip it.