Medical students performing lumbar punctures: are we doing enough?

It is safe to suggest that every medical student in their clinical years (and certainly every doctor) should be able to act alone in emergency situations and with limited resources. This includes supporting life functions, performing diagnostic procedures, establishing a clinical diagnosis, and/or initiating treatment. However, medical school curricula do not always cater for such demands. Lumbar puncture is a basic procedure performed routinely in emergency departments, neurology wards and elsewhere in hospitals. Medical students, however, do not usually get the chance to perform lumbar punctures during their basic training. In fact, Australian and New Zealand medical students seem to get the least exposure when compared to other students in other developed countries. This article examines the current status of medical students performing lumbar punctures around the world, and the ethical considerations around this issue.