Evaluation of satisfaction with training in tuition outpatient clinic

INTRODUCTION: An educational reform introduced by the National Health Board in 2004 made the Department of Paediatrics, Kolding Sygehus, introduce tuition outpatient clinics. To measure the quality of this initiative after 18 months, an evaluation was performed involving doctors in training positions, the supervising specialists, parents and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Residents receiving training as paediatricians or general practitioners staffed outpatient clinics where they were being supervised by consultants and nurses. This initiative was evaluated by an electronic questionnaire which was answered in May 2007 by all participants. The satisfaction of parents and adolescents was continuously monitored on a touch-screen computer between 1 January and 31 June 2007. Data are presented descriptively and differences compared by chi(2)-tests. RESULTS: Eleven of 15 (73%) residents and 5 of 6 (83%) consultants found that participating in outpatient clinics provided a good training opportunity. Residents found that teaching by demonstration was practiced more seldomly than stated by consultants (33% vs. 100%). In general, visitors' satisfaction was high. However, 95% of parents and 90% of adolescents were satisfied by the explanations given by the consultants as compared with only 91% (p < 0.01) and 81% (p = 0.06), respectively, for that given by the residents. Among the parents, 97% had confidence in treatment given by the consultants as compared with 93% in that given by the residents (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Participation in outpatient clinics has a high training value. It seems that in the future communication should be in focus in the supervision of doctors in training positions.