Attitudes and interpersonal skills during pediatric internship

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatrics
• Psychology

Background:

• Pediatric internships in tertiary care settings are demanding.
• Assessing intern adaptation and interpersonal skills is crucial for effective training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the interpersonal skills, attitudes, and personal adaptation of pediatric interns.
• To evaluate changes in these areas throughout the internship year.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a program to analyze skills and adaptation.
• Employed videotape vignette tests for interpersonal sensitivity.
• Recorded and analyzed outpatient clinic visits via videotape.

Main Results:

• Interns reported high stress and lower-than-expected satisfaction.
• No significant improvement was observed in interpersonal sensitivity or communication skills.
• Attitudes toward patient care showed some negative shifts, though confidence increased.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric internships present significant challenges impacting intern well-being and skill development.
• Current training may not adequately enhance crucial interpersonal and communication competencies.
• Further interventions are needed to support intern adaptation and professional growth.