title: What new residents do during their initial months of training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies completed over the past decade suggest the presence of a gap between what students learn during medical school and their clinical responsibilities as first-year residents. The purpose of this survey was to verify on a large scale the responsibilities of residents during their initial months of training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Practice analysis surveys were mailed in September 2009 to 1,104 residency programs for distribution to an estimated 8,793 first-year residents. Surveys were returned by 3,003 residents from 672 programs; 2,523 surveys met inclusion criteria and were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  New residents performed a wide range of activities, from routine but important communications (obtain informed consent) to complex procedures (thoracentesis), often without the attending physician present or otherwise involved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical school curricula and the content of competence assessments prior to residency should consider more thorough coverage of the complex knowledge and skills required early in residency.
authors.affiliation: National Board of Medical Examiners, 3750 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. mraymond@nbme.org
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mee
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Haist
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Winward
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011364:Professional Practice; D014481:United States