Anxiety about being inadequately trained for independent practice could originate in factors indirectly related to delivery of medical care. Residents are likely concerned about the transition from a relatively sheltered residency to independent practice. Independent practice involves lack of backup and such responsibilities as practice management and payment methods, to which little time is devoted in residency. The high proportion of residents planning to be involved primarily in locum tenens work, emergency medicine practice, and group family practices where some of these pressures would be minimized support this. 1 Conclusion Generally, residents were satisfied with their family medicine training, although few were as satisfied with the specialty portions of their training.
Programs can continue to improve in how they respond to residents concerns.
Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey was the rate of resident intimidation and harassment. One in five experienced harassment personally, and many more knew of such incidents indirectly. The nature of this harassment, and the environment in which it is experienced, should be examined closely in future surveys. Forty percent of residents intend to practise obstetrics, although most say they will provide primarily prenatal care. This proportion is higher than that currently reported among FPs in the community.