Structured internship orientation programme for undergraduate students: easy transition to clinical work

Internship is a phase of training when a new graduate is expected to acquire skills under supervision, so that he/she may become capable of functioning independently. Often, new graduates go through this period without a clear aim. We conducted an orientation programme before fresh graduates started their 1-year internship to familiarize them with their clinical tasks and their role in the community.

Interns were invited to participate in a one-and-a-half day programme conducted by faculty members and administrators that included interactive lectures, structured panel discussions, group discussions and role plays. The participants provided feedback using a structured questionnaire and during informal group discussions. They were also evaluated by a pre-test and post-test questionnaire.

Of the 41 interns who attended the programme on day 1 and the 28 who completed it on day 2, 19 completed the post-test questionnaire. The post-test score (median 14.5; range 10-18) represented a significant improvement over the pre-test score (median 13, range 3-16). All participants felt that the workshop was successful in achieving its objectives.

A brief and structured orientation programme before internship offers a practical means of making the transition of new graduates from students to practising doctors smoother.