What makes today's medical students and residents tick?
According to an analysis of the responses 5,600 students and
residents provided in the 2010 National Physician Survey (NPS), "the
ability to achieve a work-life balance, to work collaboratively with
other providers, to set [their] work hours and the availability of
electronic tools" are the factors that will contribute to career
satisfaction among Canada's future physicians.
"Work-life balance remains a main determinant of a satisfying
practice," the analysis concludes, "with 50% of residents and 53% of
students identifying it as the most important factor."
The NPS is conducted every three years by the CMA, the Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family
Physicians of Canada. The 2010 results did not surprise Royal College
President Louis Hugo Francescutti.
"Medical students and residents are well aware of how overwork may
impact both patient safety and their personal health and wellness," he
said. "They have repeatedly indicated their preference for delivering
care in a way that does not negatively impact their professional and
personal lives. Our system must find a solution to accommodate these
changing expectations."
The 2010 results also point to a revolution in practice management,
with 82% of second-year residents reporting that they intend to use
electronic medical records (EMRs). The survey analysis says this trend
will likely influence the organization of practices, since only 39% of
practising physicians now use EMRs.
CMA President John Haggie welcomed the new approaches the new doctors
will bring with them. "They understand intuitively that they can
provide high-quality, patient-centred care by using new technology, and
we need to be open to changing how health care is delivered."
Other NPS findings about students and residents include:
- solo practice has all but disappeared as a practice preference, with only 3% of residents favouring it
- almost one-quarter of family medicine residents (23%) intend to
continue with a third-year of training in an area such as emergency
medicine
- family medicine is the most popular specialty selection, followed by
internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics and
obstetrics/gynecology
- 36% of family medicine residents and 11% of medical students are now studying in satellite campuses
Results for the 2010 NPS are available at www.nationalphysiciansurvey.ca.
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