“AM I READY?” SELF-PERCEIVED CLINICAL AUTONOMY IN ITALIAN NEWLY LICENSED PHYSICIANS

Abstract

"Newly licensed physicians” (NLPs) are medical doctors within 12 months of licensing. Medical schools in Italy mandate that all students take classes in Emergency Medicine and practice simulated and real scenarios. This study assesses Italian NLPs’ self-perceived clinical autonomy and decision-making skills. We administered a cross-sectional survey of a sample of Italian NLP. 157 physicians answered our survey (56%). Females were over-represented in the sample (68%). Median age was 26 years. NLPs perceive themselves to be proficient in Basic Life Support (88%). Still, the majority do not consider themselves adequately prepared for Advanced Cardiac Support (91%) and trauma (88%). Having prior work expertise is associated with stronger self-reported skills in ECG interpretation and higher confidence in all scenarios, particularly emergency management, “complex” patients care, and antimicrobial prescription. NLPs show insecurity even in simple scenarios. Post-graduate medical education in Italy should focus on advanced emergency management and antimicrobial stewardship.

Keywords

• medical education
• teaching
• newly licensed physicians