The future physician

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Workforce Planning
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• Significant changes in UK hospital care and physician training over the last decade.
• Current physician training models are inadequate, leading to unfilled acute and general medicine positions.
• The 2013 'Shape of Training' review highlighted areas for improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new model for physician training and patient care.
• To address the shortcomings in current UK medical training and workforce planning.
• To introduce the concept of the 'future hospitalist' as a central figure in care delivery.

Main Methods:

• Building on the themes of the 'Shape of Training' review.
• Proposing a model centered on an alternative generalist role: the 'future hospitalist'.
• Focusing on integrating leadership, patient safety, and quality improvement into medical training.

Main Results:

• The proposed model aims to increase flexibility in training and workforce planning.
• Reinstating the general physician role at the core of hospital care.
• Embedding essential skills like leadership and quality improvement into practice.

Conclusions:

• The 'future hospitalist' model offers a solution to current training deficits.
• This model enhances flexibility in workforce planning and medical education.
• It promotes improved patient safety and quality of care through integrated leadership.