Medical School and Clinical Hours: When LESS IS MORE and the Case for Cutting Back

Medical School and Clinical Hours: When LESS IS MORE : The Case for Cutting Back

So, what if we dared to question this sacred cow and reduced the number of hours required for training? Shocker—doing so might actually improve things. Before you judge and start the process of fetishizing the number of hours and training just hear me out.?

Less hours means we can make the field more accessible to a broader range of students who might currently be deterred by the sheer financial and emotional toll. And yes, less time in training could mean more flexibility, more innovation, and ultimately, more satisfied, effective physicians. Crazy, right?

But this isn’t just hypothetical. The looming primary care shortage in the U.S. is a clear warning sign that the current pipeline isn’t working. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a shortage of up to 55,000 primary care physicians by 2033. [Source: AAMC](https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/press-releases/aamc-report-warns-looming-physician-shortage )?

If we keep forcing students through a grueling, expensive, and outdated training regimen, fewer will choose this vital field. It’s that simple.

Solutions: Smarter, Not Harder

So, how do we cut back the bloat while still ensuring high-quality care? Here are a few ideas that are more effective than throwing more hours at the problem:

Simulation and Tech-Driven Learning

Medical education is one of the few fields where we insist on doing things the hard way when easier, tech-savvy methods are available. Incorporating more simulation-based learning can offer students the chance to hone critical skills without needing years of repetitive, in-person. New hardware and software like Apple Pro Vision ,Meta Oculus for AR and VR and more to come will absolutely change the way doctors and nurses receive training. Let's give doctors and nurses some time back!?

Competency-Based Education

The “hours served” model is about as outdated as pagers. A shift to competency-based training would focus on actual skills and knowledge rather than a clocked-in grind. If a student masters a core skill in 200 hours instead of 400, let them move on. No need to pad the hours like we’re billing by the minute.?

[Source: MedEdPORTAL](https://www.mededportal.org/publication/10227 )

Streamlined Residency Programs

Why are we stretching residency out like it’s a slow-cooked brisket? (Sorry I’m hungry)? Shorter, more targeted residencies with flexibility could give students the time to pursue specialized interests while getting them into practice sooner. In countries like the U.K., general practitioners complete their training in far less time than their U.S. counterparts, and—surprise—their healthcare outcomes aren’t falling apart.?

[Source: The Royal College of General Practitioners](https://www.rcgp.org.uk/policy/rcgp-policy-areas/overview-of-the-uk-primary-care-system.aspx )

[Source: Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23821205211006688 )

Enhanced Collaboration

Finally, we need stronger partnerships between medical schools, residency programs, and healthcare organizations. By coordinating efforts, we can reduce redundancies, focus on relevant skills, and create a more seamless educational experience—less bureaucratic ping-pong and more hands-on learning.?

[Source: Academic Medicine](https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2020/06000/Building_a_Collaborative_Culture_in_Medical.1.aspx )

?A Future That Works (For a Change)

If we want to save primary care and keep the healthcare system from further imploding, it’s time to rethink how we train our doctors. The goal should be to create more accessible, streamlined, and purpose-driven pathways into primary care, not simply to drag students through a ritualistic endurance test. Reducing the number of hours required isn’t just a logistical fix; it’s an urgent need to make the profession viable and appealing for the next generation.

Conclusion: Time for a Change

In summary, if the training system for primary care physicians were a car, it would be a gas-guzzling, high-maintenance relic from the ‘70s. Sure, it gets you there eventually, but not without a lot of wasted resources and frustration. It’s time to stop clinging to outdated traditions and start building a more efficient, effective, and humane way of preparing the next wave of primary care providers. After all, who wants to spend 23,000 hours learning when insurance carriers and healthcare systems only let you do so much!?