Residents' training goals in respiratory knowledge and skills: perspective of three parties

Medical residents, full-time respiratory teaching staff, and community-based doctors rated the importance of fifty-five respiratory training goals involving knowledge and skills necessary for the future practices of all medical residents. Residents also rated their perceived preparedness in these training areas. Intra- and inter-group analyses indicated that residents agreed more often, and consistently assigned more importance (94% of goals) to the training goals, than did the teachers and doctors. Although the residents considered themselves prepared for 69% of the training goals, they also had moderate intra-group disagreement. These results may reflect variable training experiences and/or institutional practices, but areas of less than adequate preparation were identified and can be corrected. The other two groups were in general agreement except regarding some clinical skills. This study offers possible explanations for the group responses and indicates the potential benefit for groups to discuss, identify, and survey training goals.