title: Perceptions of preparation for further training: how our medical schools prepare graduates and the perceived factors influencing access to training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the specific factors that graduates perceive to influence their success in obtaining primary training in a chosen field.
  
  
  METHODS
  The New South Wales Medical Registration Board provided data on doctors who were registered to practise between 1995 and 2006. A brief, paper-based survey was sent to a random selection of 2000 doctors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Doctors' self-reported perceptions on the impact of demographic details, specialty training applied for, university training and other factors on opportunities for further training after medical school.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 375/1915 doctors (19.6%) who responded, most had completed a 6-year undergraduate degree from the University of Sydney, University of NSW or University of Newcastle, and most were at registrar level. Of 242/321 doctors (76%) who had applied for a training position, 240 (99%) had been accepted. The support of a mentor was considered the most positive influence on meeting long-term career goals (255/318 [80%]). Learning how to communicate with patients was valued as the most helpful aspect of medical school (270/318 [85%]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The personal attributes of graduates were considered more influential in achieving career goals and accessing further training than perceived features of a medical program. This suggests that more emphasis and research should be devoted to selecting the most appropriate candidates, rather than restructuring medical curricula to meet a presumed need for more content knowledge before graduation.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia. shyde@csu.edu.au
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: Pippa L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Ann J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sefton
authors.forename: Greg L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Vasi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naganathan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires