Perceived preparedness for physiatric specialization and future career goals of graduating postgraduate year IV residents during the 2004-2005 academic year.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends among postgraduate year (PGY) IV physiatry residents, at the time of graduation from residency, in terms of their perceived experiences in the core clinical areas, confidence with procedural subspecialization, choice in career specialization, and desire to pursue clinical fellowship.

Design: Surveys were distributed to 386 PGY IV residents in physiatry at the end of the 2004-2005 academic year.

Results: Ninety-three residents (24%) completed responses in a confidential manner. Residents who were generally more confident in core clinical areas, as defined by the Self-Assessment Examination, and specialty prescription writing also believed themselves to be more prepared to practice these topics in their careers. Overall levels of confidence and perceived preparedness correlated positively with months of training and negatively with the belief in the need for postresidency fellowship training to incorporate these areas into clinical practice. Positive correlations also existed among perceived levels of preparedness in performing various physiatric procedures. Statistically significant differences in levels of confidence and preparedness existed among geographic regions when evaluating core physiatric subject matter. Fifty-six percent of residents who responded planned to pursue fellowship training, and a majority of residents intended to perform interventional procedures and musculoskeletal medicine in their practices.

Conclusions: These results provide insight into how trainees perceive their current clinical education. With validation of measures for confidence and preparedness, this survey may be useful as an adjunct resource for residency programs to evaluate their trainees.