Keywords: residency, training, family medicine

Background:

As the demand for family physicians rises globally, ensuring that these doctors receive comprehensive, high-quality professional training becomes critical. The residency period is particularly important for shaping competent family physicians.

Research questions:

What are the current strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement within family medicine residency training programs from the perspective of medical residents?

Method:

We conducted a nationwide multicentric survey involving 12 university centers in Romania. The questionnaire, consisting of 55 items, explored residents’ satisfaction with their current training, identified areas needing improvement, and assessed their preparedness and needs for future practice.

Results:

A total of 332 family medicine residents participated. Among them, 95.2% expressed intentions to practice in their home country, with 66% preferring urban areas. Working conditions influenced the specialty choice significantly. Satisfaction rates varied between 45.8% and 75.9% depending on the medical area. Notably, 87% cited complex legislation and authority-imposed restrictions as significant barriers. The majority indicated a desire for an extended cardiology rotation. Furthermore, 84% preferred hands-on training, whereas only 18.1% were engaged in research activities. Finally, 66.6% expressed interest in participating in international exchange programs.

Conclusions:

We identified both strengths and weaknesses within family medicine residency training. Curricular adjustments and additional extracurricular opportunities are recommended to enhance the quality and effectiveness of residency training.

Points for discussion:

Residency Training Satisfaction

Curriculum Enhancement and Practical Training Needs

Barriers in Clinical Practice