Postgraduate Medical Education And Screening The Problems Of Resident Physicians: A Survey Study

Background and Aim: Postgraduate medical education has become a much-debated problem in recent years. Although attempts have been made to overcome problems of resident physicians through various regulations, issues arising from confluent postgraduate education and a healthcare service are immediate concerns. In this study, we aimed to screen the possible problems of residents faced during postgraduate medical education. Materials and Methods: A pre-prepared questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions and closed-end questions (multiple choice, likert type and yes/no questions) were performed to define the problems of residents working in Istanbul Medical Faculty. The findings were evaluated by percentage value and SPSS statistical program. Results: The participation ratio was 27% in whole medical faculty. Half of the participating residents considered postgraduate education as fine. On the other hand, one-third of the residents chose the subject of education improvement as a matter of priority. Only one quarter of the participants could both write and read literature in a foreign language. Nearly half of the residents were partially satisfied while practicing their profession. One in every five participants needed to seek medical help (psychological support, psychotropic drug use) in order to cope with problems they confronted during graduate medical education. Two out of every three residents reported that the community was often prejudiced against physicians. Conclusion: The improvement of postgraduate medical education and support of residents during their most important time in their grueling and self-sacrificing profession are essential for the future of medicine. More studies about the problems of residents are needed