Symptoms of the medical liability crisis are less severe in North Carolina than in many other states; “Dr. Edward Halperin, vice dean of Duke’s medical school, said the issue is not cited as a major factor in Duke students’ decisions to pick a medical specialty,” which is not the case in some other parts of the country. “The malpractice issue has had a negative influence, however, in the kinds of learning opportunities medical schools offer. In years past, Halperin said, schools routinely let students do training stints at hospitals around the country. Now this practice is being curtailed, because medical schools are leery of carrying the liability for students working outside their hospitals.

“Such subtle problems seldom get mentioned in the debate, but Halperin said the effect is long term. ‘It’s inhibiting access to educational opportunities,’ he said.” (Sarah Avery, “Malpractice debate hides subtleties”, Raleigh News & Observer, Sept. 7) (via Common Good).

Filed under: hospitals, medical, North Carolina, schools