Support groups address residents' personal development

Graduate medical education traditionally has emphasized the teaching of biomedical knowledge and technical skills. However, physicians-in-training also need opportunities to explore their emotional reactions that occur during the process of patient care and medical training. The promotion of personal growth and self-awareness should be important components of graduate medical education. Easily implemented, a resident support group is one forum that addresses this obvious gap in medical education. This article reviews the goals and structure of support groups, with the hope that more training programs will implement them.