An evaluation of the 18- and 12-month basic postgraduate training programmes in Denmark.
BACKGROUND
It was decided that the Danish 18-month internship training should be replaced by a 12-month postgraduate training period including six months of employment at a hospital ward and six months at a general practice/hospital ward. This study examines how the physicians from the old and new programmes evaluate their training, and it explores their attitudes towards the new postgraduate training programme.


METHODS
We developed a questionnaire by which quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The questionnaire was sent to all physicians following basic postgraduate training in 2009. A total of 1,034 doctors were invited to answer the questionnaire. One quarter of these followed the 12-month programme and three quarters followed the 18-month programme. The response rate was 66%.


RESULTS
Doctors following the new 12-month programme felt less professionally equipped and less ready for continued specialisation than doctors of the 18-month programme and they requested a downward adjustment of the learning objectives associated with the educational positions which follow their basic training. Physicians do not expect the increased focus on learning and supervision to compensate for the six-month reduction of the training period. Internal medicine should be included in the basic postgraduate training of all physicians. Training in secondary as well as primary health care was requested.


CONCLUSIONS
The young physicians were reluctant towards the new basic postgraduate training programme.
Kjaer
Niels Kristian
NK
Postgraduate Education, Medical Faculty, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. niels.kjaer@dadlnet.dk
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D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003718:Denmark; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires