title: Medical training in Greece: A crisis in progress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate the opinions of medical students and graduates regarding the quality of medical education in Greece.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two online questionnaires concerning the undergraduate medical education and specialty training respectively were distributed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding the quality of undergraduate medical education, 52.1% of participants replied favorably while clinical training was found satisfactory by 45.1. Dissatisfaction rates with research opportunities and support from tutors reached 88.4 and 83.3%, respectively. The majority (75.3%) supported the introduction of examinations for commencing specialty training. 52.3% of physicians were satisfied with the quality of specialty training. The most common complaint was the absence of a formal educational program. 67.2% of participants were dissatisfied with working conditions during their specialty training, with 70.1% working >60 h per week. Physicians practicing medical specialties were more satisfied with the quality of specialty training than those practicing surgical specialties (odds ratio: 1.43; 95% confidence limits: 1.09-1.87) and were less likely to work for >60 h per week (odds ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence limits: 0.48-0.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Opinions expressed in this survey highlight the need for reforming medical education in Greece.
authors.affiliation: Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS) , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Gregory C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Makris
authors.forename: Kyriakos K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Trigkidis
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Apiranthiti
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malietzis
authors.forename: Vangelis G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Alexiou
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Falagas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Greece; medical training; specialty training; undergraduate