http://www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.5858/arpa.2012-0161-ED

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2013 Apr;137(4):457-61. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0161-ED.

Graduated responsibility for pathology residents: no time for half measures.

Allen TC.

The institution of graduated pathology resident responsibilities will only be successful if those responsibilities are actual responsibilities. Actual responsibilities entail the resident making a decision or diagnosis for which there is potential outcome to the patient, with attendant medicallegal risk. As Dr Bauer noted, graduated responsibility would ‘‘put an end to ‘social promotions’ under which

successful completion of training meant an apparent ability—rather than a demonstrated ability—to take true diagnostic responsibility.’’1