The time is now

✍ Scribed by Sebastian Faro

• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 18 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1064-7449
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-0997(1998)6:2<47::aid-idog1>3.0.co;2-4

✦ Synopsis

The Time Is Now

Infectious diseases continue to be a significant problem in medicine, even though new antimicrobial agents with a broader spectrum of activity continue to be developed. Although the study of infectious disease has made significant contributions to the understanding of microbial pathophysiologic processes and new treatment modalities, as well as antimicrobial agents, it appears that there is little emphasis placed on teaching during resident training. This is reflected in the lack of understanding often seen in the management of the infected patient. Now appears to be an opportune time to introduce formal teaching of infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology during the resident training period. The teaching program could be structured to combine didactic material with clinical problems. The development of new antibiotics has compounded the problem as the pharmaceutical representative often provides instruction for their use. This is not completely disadvantageous, since they provide the physician with a considerable amount of information. However, the information is skewed to present the product in a most favorable light.

An understanding of infectious diseases, diagnosis, management, and treatment is a continuous process. Therefore, a teaching program must evolve along with the evolution of the field. Both infectious disease societies, the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the United States Section of the International Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, should develop a curriculum designed for the training of residents and medical students. Working together to achieve this common goal seems an appropriate task for both societies.