A comparison of resident perceptions of training experience at university and community based family practice residencies.

To determine if differences exist in the perception by residents of the adequacy of training at university or community based programs, a survey was conducted of all 1987 family practice residency graduates in the United States. Of the 2,363 questionnaires mailed and reviewed by graduates, 1,583 were returned (66.8% response rate). Respondents completed the survey within approximately 18 months of completing residency training. The results indicate that overall satisfaction with training, as well as the perception of adequacy of preparation for practice, lessened with increasing university affiliation of the training program (P less than .05). The findings reported here also suggest that university based family practice residency graduates are much more likely to report being treated like "second-class citizens" by attendings and residents of other specialties. In addition, satisfaction with educational rotation experiences is less if competing residencies exist at the institution sponsoring the residency.