Learning needs of residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery outpatient clinics: a dual-source survey study

Standardized residency training for dental residents is a clinical skills development program designed for newly graduated dental students. A significant conflict arises between patients' expectations for high-quality medical services and residents' need to enhance their skills through hands-on clinical practice. This study aims to explore the current situation and needs of resident doctors in the outpatient department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, based on patient dissatisfaction feedback and a comprehensive questionnaire survey among resident doctors.

Dissatisfaction feedback related to the oral and maxillofacial surgery outpatient clinic from 2021 to 2023 was collected, categorized, and analyzed. Concurrently, a survey questionnaire comprising 19 questions was designed to assess the the residents' current work status and needs of in the outpatient department. The questionnaire was completed by the residents and analyzed to gather insights.

From 2021 to 2023, there were 84 instances of dissatisfaction feedback involving resident doctors in the oral and maxillofacial surgery outpatient clinic. The primary reason for dissatisfaction was "severe postoperative reactions" (42.9%), followed by "resident doctors unable to solve problems independently" (26.2%), and "patients' lack of trust in resident doctors" (25%). The resident doctor questionnaire yielded 71 valid responses, revealing that the main factor hindering their ability to consult patients was patients' distrust (42.25%), followed by "lack of confidence and fear of causing adverse effects" (36.62%). Residents rated their theoretical knowledge and practical abilities at 2.75 and 2.86, respectively, indicating moderate proficiency levels. They identified increased clinical consultation opportunities as their most critical need to improve diagnostic and treatment skills (77.5%). Their preferred consultation modes were: [1] operating independently with the teacher observing and summarizing afterward (56.34%), and [2] operating independently with the teacher observing and providing real-time reminders during the operation (23.9%).

In the outpatient department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the primary reasons for patient dissatisfaction related to resident doctors are inadequate operational skills and patients' distrust in their abilities. However, due to the limited sample size of this study, the generalizability of these findings to a broader population remains uncertain. Further large-scale, objective investigations are needed to provide clearer and more meaningful insights into this issue.