Medical Students Advocate for Increased Practical Training
Gonzalo Baquero, a medical student and health communicator, is leading the charge for changes in the evaluation and practical training of medical students in Spain. As the president of the State Council of Medical Students (CEEM), Baquero is proposing the implementation of a new figure within the medical degree known as ‘R0’, aimed at increasing the practical weight of the MIR exam evaluation.
Baquero argues that the R0 figure should be introduced in the sixth grade, with the second semester of the fifth grade being entirely practical. He believes that this would significantly enhance the practical training of medical students, as they would take on a more active role in various clinical tasks and ultimately have a greater impact on patient care.
The proposal for the R0 figure is not only gaining momentum among medical students but also among deans of Medicine. Pablo Lara, president of the National Conference of Deans of Medicine, supports the idea of increasing the weight of the academic record in the MIR, including the evaluation of internships.
In addition to advocating for changes in the practical training of medical students, there is also a call for the restructure of the curriculum program to include more humanistic subjects such as ethics, deontology, and communication with patients.
While the proposal for the R0 figure is gaining traction, it is essential to ensure that patient safety is not compromised. The Collegiate Medical Organization (OMC) emphasizes the need to evaluate and develop the proposal in-depth, emphasizing the importance of patient safety in any changes made to the medical training program. Overall, the goal is to improve the quality of training while meeting the evolving demands of the healthcare environment.
The introduction of the R0 figure is already a reality in other countries such as France, where final year medical students have their own quota of patients and are actively involved in clinical care. Baquero envisions the R0 figure in Spain functioning in a similar manner, ultimately preparing medical students for the challenges of the healthcare profession.
As the proposal gains traction, students, deans, and healthcare organizations are working collaboratively to shape the future of medical training in Spain. With the introduction of the R0 figure and broader reforms to the curriculum, the aim is to equip medical graduates with the necessary skills for the rapidly changing healthcare landscape.