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Experience with MGH? Concerned about students...

Shimmel6Shimmel6 member
in Boston Babies
Hello,
I am currently seeing OB at MGH and is planning to deliver there as well, but have some concerns.
I talked with one of my friends who had her baby at MGH few years ago. She told me that epidural was done by a student and the actual delivery was also performed by a student as well under the doctor's supervision. She also told me that there was not any way to refuse being handled by students.
I wonder if that is a regular practice there and if anyone had a similar experience? 
Thanks!
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Re: Experience with MGH? Concerned about students...

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  • Susiepoo04Susiepoo04 member
    I believe you can request not to have students involved in your care. You may have residents (graduated med school but training in specialty) involved in your care tho
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  • Shimmel6Shimmel6 member

    Thank you Susiepool04!

    Yes, I actually meant residents. Is it possible to request not to have them involved in my care?

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  • theredofheadtheredofhead member
    I am also delivering at MGH, but do not have a problem with residents assisting and performing the typical duties of L&D under the doctor's supervision.  They are completely supervised and going to a teaching hospital, I would expect a resident to be part of my care-- all doctors have to learn somewhere!

    What concerns are you having specifically?  
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  • LapoohLapooh member
    Ask your Ob if you are concerned. However it is a teaching hospital and most likely they will be involved in your care
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  • Shimmel6Shimmel6 member

    My biggest concern is my past negative experience with inexperienced residents. I'd like to avoid it this time if possible.

    Some people told me that by law I have a right to refuse being cared for by residents. Not sure, though, how it works at mgh.

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  • Wine&CupcakesWine&Cupcakes member
    edited April 2014
    KaceFace25 said:
    I am also delivering at MGH, but do not have a problem with residents assisting and performing the typical duties of L&D under the doctor's supervision.  They are completely supervised and going to a teaching hospital, I would expect a resident to be part of my care-- all doctors have to learn somewhere!

    What concerns are you having specifically?  


    I agree with this completely. As someone on the medical side of things, it's very important for students to be involved with care at this level. They are closely monitored and really need to learn somewhere. The lackluster care you received could have just been a) a bad student (and there ARE bad doctors/nurses, etc. as well) or poor coordination of care.

    I understand your concerns, however, if everyone went around opting out of student care, there would be no future competent providers. Just something to think about.

    For another perspective, students are often so immersed in their studies that they are likely to be MUCH more thorough, attentive and eager.

    Edit: words are hard.

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  • jlbeanzajlbeanza member
    I delivered at MGH, and a student was there for my entire birth, and he's the one that stitched up my tear. As everyone mentioned, they are very closely supervised, and I wasn't worried for a second.


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  • jtmomma13jtmomma13 member
    I delivered at BI and had a student administer my spinal and he was AMAZING (I had a c section). He also gave me constant updates while they were doing the procedure. 
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  • pearl262pearl262 member

    I want to chime in also to make sure the distinction between a student and a resident is clear (I know OP clarified, but others seem to be using them interchangeably).  A resident IS a doctor - an M.D.  An OB resident at a busy Boston hospital has quite possibly delivered hundreds of babies - more than a doctor with years of experience at an outlying hospital!  Every hospital in Boston has, and relies on, residents.  But at a teaching hospital like MGH, there are also many medical students doing clinical rotations, and I completely understand that you might not want a student treating you, or a gaggle of students in your room observing! You should be able to request that students not be involved. 

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  • Eastie156Eastie156 member
    Most major hospitals in Boston (BWH, MGH and BI) are teaching hospitals and have students. That said, you can tell the Dr.'s you don't want a student present. It's within your rights and you don't have to feel bad about it. I had a resident accompany a Dr. into my room right after my son was born and they asked me if it was ok. I was not in a good mood and felt terrible so I told them no, it wasn't ok. It's NBD.


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  • sophiarebecca14sophiarebecca14 member
    I am also delivering at MGH with a midwife this fall. However, I have had surgery in the past at MGH, and they were excellent about informing me of who was a resident and who was a med student. They also all asked my permission when examining me while their attending observed.
    I was completely comfortable as they were so mindful to identify their level of education. As someone else noted, they were actually more attentive to my concerns than my primary surgeon.
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