Medical residents’ perceptions of a pediatric residency program in a public university hospital

Abstract

Medical residency is a form of supervised training. It aims to train technically qualified professionals with high ethical and humane standards. This study analyzed the perceptions of medical students’ undergoing a pediatric residency program in a university hospital in the northeast of Brazil. Interviews were conducted with 12 first and second-year residents and analyzed using content analysis, synthesizing the results into the following categories: structuring the pediatric residency program; and the relationship between theory and practice. The residents expressed satisfaction, expectations and concerns. They considered the facilities to be adequate, but highlighted shortcomings in preceptorship. The students’ perceptions reveal shortcomings in program management, activity planning and sensitizing urgent care preceptors. We suggest an increase in the course load of refresher training sessions using virtual learning environments and didactic training for preceptors.