title: Provision of care by medical residents and the impact on quality.
abstract: The quality of care received by patients is a basic element of modern medicine. Medical residents or interns are essential within the healthcare system, but their lack of experience can raise concerns about the quality of care given. A registrar or specialist has greater knowledge and skills, while a resident has greater motivation and enthusiasm. The aim of training programs is to prepare residents to provide high quality care. This requires close supervision that seems to be lacking, with the consequent impact on both healthcare quality and academic results. The so-called "July effect" refers to the diminished quality of care during the summer months when resident physicians switch over. The results of studies analysing this effect vary widely, but the loss of efficacy during these months does seem to be real. Pulmonology is one of medical specialties that generates the least demand for internships and residencies, but it is impossible to determine if this affects the quality of care. The high prevalence of respiratory diseases and the latest diagnostic and therapeutic advances may mean that this situation will change in coming years.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Clínico Valencia, Valencia, España. Electronic address: esllopas@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Estefanía
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Llopis Pastor
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Cruces, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, España.
authors.forename: Estibaliz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez Guzmán
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Regulo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ávila Martínez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Villena Garrido
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario Araba, Vitoria, Álava, España.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sobradillo Ecenarro
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D008511:Medicine; D009042:Motivation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D057240:Patient Preference; D061214:Patient Safety; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Formación; Julio; July; Medical residents; Médico Interno Residente; Neumología; Pulmonology; Training