Support services for family practice residents.
BACKGROUND
Internship and residency are stressful experiences for physicians in training. Residency programs vary in their provision of supportive services for residents.


METHODS
A random sample of 50% of the nation's family practice residency programs was surveyed to determine the prevalence of 19 support services, 10 of which were assessed a decade previously. Programs were also asked about on-call frequency, vacation benefits, and program size.


RESULTS
Approximately 91% of the programs responded. The surveys indicated that residents were on call an average of once every four nights, a 10% decrease from a decade ago. The prevalence of three support services had increased over the last decade: seminars and speakers on the stresses and conflicts of being a physician, support groups for residents, and child care services. "Night-float" rotations and part-time residencies are the least offered support services of those studied.


CONCLUSIONS
Support for family practice residents is increasing, yet in many cases remains inadequate.
Kahn
N B
NB
Department of Family Practice, University of California, Davis.
Addison
R B
RB
D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States