Current status of emergency residency training programs in Turkey: after 14 years of experience

Emergency residency training programs, which have been developing in Turkey over the last 14 years, have been improving emergency health services by training each year a significant number of emergency medicine specialists. Sufficient data about these emergency residency training programs is not currently available. The purpose of this study is to determine (i) the structure of emergency residency training programs and (ii) trainer and resident views concerning these programs.

The data in this cross-sectional study was gathered by means of questionnaires. Three different forms of questionnaires were used for residents, trainers, and heads of departments.

This study covers 20 emergency medicine departments and 261 physicians. It was determined that written rotational objectives have been indicated in 17 of the emergency medicine departments and log books are used in 16 departments. Although 60% of resident views on 'practical skills', 23% on 'the contribution of rotations to the training', and 44% on 'the level of residency training programs' were rated as 'sufficient', trainers indicated 'sufficiency' on these subjects as 78, 37, and 77%, respectively. Regarding theoretical and practical skills, residents and trainers, respectively rated as 'sufficient' following subjects: cardiovascular 74, 91%; neurology 68, 86%; resuscitation 83, 98%; trauma 76, 87%; orthopedics 56, 75%; pediatrics 16, 27%; and toxicology 63, 82%.

Most of the departments have developed the basic components for resident education. Residents and trainers frequently had different views on their own level of knowledge, practical skills, and the content of their training.