Orthopedic Residency in a Tertiary Care Hospital of India: Positives, Negatives and Perspectives for Change.

Background: Orthopaedic residency training is a 3-year period of preparation that converts a raw medical student into a proficient orthopaedic surgeon. Due to wide variations at different centers in India, the program in a tertiary hospital is presented, in an attempt to improve the overall levels of training.

Materials And Methods: PGIMER has produced many good surgeons who are well settled across the country and the world. A survey of the postgraduates of the last 30 years was done to highlight the perceptions about the program. An overview of the program was also added to the narrative to highlight the positive aspects of the training.

Results: 132 Orthopaedic passed-out residents from PGIMER could be contacted. 97% of them rated their residency experience as excellent or good, and stated that they would recommend this program to new residents. Key points highlighted by them were the readiness of trainees for any surgical contingency after graduation, continuation of the mindset for research, and their prompt acceptability into their subsequent places of work due to their place of graduation.

Discussion: Converting an orthopaedic resident into a competent surgeon involves knowledge upgrades and impartation of skills; these are not limited to the theory of orthopaedics, but involve the thought processes and the planning as a surgeon, the attitude towards patient management, and a continuously inquisitive scientific mind. The shortcomings and strengths of the residency program in PGIMER are discussed; international standard methodology limited to this institute like formal log books, mentorship program, hands-on skill development through courses, etc. is something that is recommended to be mandatory in all residency programs.

Conclusion: The PGIMER Orthopaedic residency program could act as a basic model for other Indian medical schools, with any appropriate modifications. Standardization of Orthopaedic residency programs could allow upgrading to International levels.