Young surgeons’ challenges at the start of their clinical residency: a semi-qualitative study

Abstract

According to German regulations on licensing to practice medicine, the aim of undergraduate medical training is to produce a scientifically and practically trained physician who is able to work independently. More precisely, medical training has to impart the required knowledge and skills in diagnostics, therapy, health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation. From the young residents’ point of view, this aim is not achieved, and they do not feel prepared to be a doctor. However, the literature on this subject relies mostly on data based on surveys, and there is a lack of deep analysis of the specific details of the topic. The aim of this study was to analyze in depth how junior doctors in their first and second years felt about their preparation for clinical practice as a doctor from their undergraduate training, as well as which teaching formats and factors influence their preparedness.

Keywords

• junior doctors
• preparedness
• residency
• surgery
• undergraduate medical training