Journal of general internal medicine
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Approximately 20% of the United States' population lives in a state or jurisdiction where medical aid in dying (MAiD) is legal. It is unknown how physicians' own barriers are associated with their provision of the spectrum of MAiD services. ⋯ Approximately one-quarter of physicians likely to care for MAiD-eligible patients in Colorado reported religious and/or ethical barriers to MAiD. Despite religious and/or ethical barriers, the vast majority of physicians were willing to discuss MAiD and/or refer patients seeking MAiD services. These data provide important empirical foundation for policy from hospitals and health systems as well as medical specialty groups with official positions on MAiD.
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Because physician practices contribute to national healthcare expenditures, initiatives aimed at educating physicians about high-value cost-conscious care (HVCCC) are important. Prior studies suggest that the training environment influences physician attitudes and behaviors towards HVCCC. ⋯ Students pursuing specialties with longitudinal patient contact may be more enthusiastic about practicing high-value care. Life experiences before and during medical school shape these attitudes, and complex interactions between these forces drive student perceptions of HVCCC.
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Although internal medicine (IM) physicians accept public advocacy as a professional responsibility, there is little evidence that IM training programs teach advocacy skills. The prevalence and characteristics of public advocacy curricula in US IM residency programs are unknown. ⋯ Over half of US IM residency programs offer no formal training in public advocacy skills and many reported lack of faculty expertise in public advocacy as a barrier. These findings suggest many IM residents are not taught how to advocate for communities and populations. Further, less than one-quarter of required curricula in public advocacy involves experiential learning.