Alpha's, Beta's, and Clinical Guidelines...

[drusso]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Recently, I had a conversation in the grocery store produce section with a new PCP in our area--just finished residency. She was, of course, interested how to refer for pain management, etc. We started talking about clinical guidelines, opioids, etc. She seemed so "groomed" and "compliant." As the conversation moved from interventional care to addiction to long-term med management it occurred to me that she completely lacked an appreciation of nuance and critical thinking. She is...a perfect Beta. She desires simply to be told what to do.

Is medical education now grooming docs to be good EHR-user's, check-boxer's, clinical guideline following-slaves instead of leaders? Do we want to promote this activity among our colleagues?

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Recently, I had a conversation in the grocery store produce section with a new PCP in our area--just finished residency. She was, of course, interested how to refer for pain management, etc. We started talking about clinical guidelines, opioids, etc. She seemed so "groomed" and "compliant." As the conversation moved from interventional care to addiction to long-term med management it occurred to me that she completely lacked an appreciation of nuance and critical thinking. She is...a perfect Beta. She desires simply to be told what to do.

Is medical education now grooming docs to be good EHR-user's, check-boxer's, clinical guideline following-slaves instead of leaders? Do we want to promote this activity among our colleagues?

In order: yes, no.

 

[Ducttape]

Maybe she is just a new grad who honestly looks up to you to teach her about the nuances of pain medicine that you went through exclusive and arduous training, and doesn't want to disrespect you?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[willabeast]

until AI takes over 99% of initial medical decision making, most newbies will rely on algorithms until they achieve escape velocity.

 

[101N]

What makes you think your an alpha🙂

 

[Disciple]

Recently, I had a conversation in the grocery store produce section with a new PCP in our area--just finished residency. She was, of course, interested how to refer for pain management, etc. We started talking about clinical guidelines, opioids, etc. She seemed so "groomed" and "compliant." As the conversation moved from interventional care to addiction to long-term med management it occurred to me that she completely lacked an appreciation of nuance and critical thinking. She is...a perfect Beta. She desires simply to be told what to do.

Is medical education now grooming docs to be good EHR-user's, check-boxer's, clinical guideline following-slaves instead of leaders? Do we want to promote this activity among our colleagues?

A. Probably.

B. Who is "we"? The members of this forum? Probably no for the most part. Many other doctors with varying political views? Yes.

A related question, if there is no need for critical thinking, why not shorten the training? After all, that's what residencies/fellowships are for correct?

 

[bedrock]

A. Probably.
A related question, if there is no need for critical thinking, why not shorten the training? After all, that's what residencies/fellowships are for correct?

Very true. if all we do is follow algorithms then why 13 years of training?

 

[clubdeac]

Apparently the rest of society thinks the 13 yrs is unnecessary as well with noctors and NPs taking over

 

[bedrock]

Apparently the rest of society thinks the 13 yrs is unnecessary as well with noctors and NPs taking over

sad but true, the average person looks up something on WebMD and then if the physician doesn't agree with them, just thinks the physician is wrong or stupid.

Society just wants doctors to agree with them and give them what they want..........until they develop a true medical mystery and then they briefly repent while seeking answers not readily available on the interne, from an expert highly trained physician.

 

[SeniorWrangler]

Young female physician being nice to the crusty old pain doc?

 

[ampaphb]

Betas are over-represented in some fields, alphas in others.

I also think that malignant programs tend to beat any tendency toward originality or coloring outside the lines out of their trainees early in residency.

We weren't all fortunate enough to train at Mayo and Oregon

 

[drusso]

Young female physician being nice to the crusty old pain doc?

Maybe I am getting crusty. I should go scrub my soul with a pumice stone...

 

[Disciple]

Betas are over-represented in some fields, alphas in others.

For the sake of discussion, care to list those out?

 

[ziggyziggy]

Apparently the rest of society thinks the 13 yrs is unnecessary as well with noctors and NPs taking over

Not so sure about the 4 years of college though! Take those out, you are at par with rest of the world.

 

[ampaphb]

For the sake of discussion, care to list those out?

Archetypal alphas are neurosurgeons, archetypal betas are pediatricians.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N930A using SDN mobile

 

[dmk5n]

Betas = Anesthesiologists

 

[ampaphb]

Interesting. I find them to be more passive aggressive alphas

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N930A using SDN mobile

 

[dmk5n]

Aw I'm just kidding around.

 

[drusso]

Health plan medical directors = beta (just doing their employers' bidding and saving the company a buck). Occupational medicine = beta (just following WC guidelines).

 

[IN2B8R]

Sad but true--critical thinking and hard work are out the door. It's a new age of I'm in-training: I'll consult any and all services, so that my computerized note is done.... At the end of the day, the patient is punted from one service to another, 'cause consulting is easier than critical thinking.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[Disciple]

Health plan medical directors = beta (just doing their employers' bidding and saving the company a buck). Occupational medicine = beta (just following WC guidelines).

Hard to tell sometimes how much is being a "beta" and how much is knowing who cuts the checks.

Times are tough in saturated markets.

 

[drusso]

Hard to tell sometimes how much is being a "beta" and how much is knowing who cuts the checks.

Times are tough in saturated markets.

I get that. Lately, based on recent conversations, I've noticed what "paper tigers" these administrative MD's are. They are literally "working for the man" and are basically shameless about the fact!