Challenges faced by chief residents: difficulties and achievements of this role in a community teaching hospital

Abstract

Introduction.Thechiefresidentplaysastrategic role in terms of leadership and cohesion among residents. Objective. To characterize the activities developed by chief residents and identify their achievements and difficulties. Methods.Asurveyaboutdemographicoutcome measures, activities performed, most and least gratifying situations, and training needs was completed. Results. In total, 88 % of chief residents completed the survey; 46 % were females. Activities were related to health care (26 %), academic management (25 %), teaching (24 %), administration (16 %), and research (10 %). The mostgratifyingsituationwasplayingateaching role,andtheleastgratifyingoneweredifficulties in the management of interpersonal relations. A lack of training was recognized by 57 %, whereas 95 % would recommend becoming a chief resident. Conclusion. The most gratifying situation was playing a teaching role, and the least gratifying one were difficulties in the management of interpersonal relations.