[First junior doctors: State of play one year after the implementation of the consolidation phase within the diploma of specialized studies in internal medicine and clinical immunology].

INTRODUCTION

The 2017 reform of the 3rd cycle of medical studies introduced the concept of supervised autonomy with the creation of a new junior doctor (JD) status. The aim of this work was to interview the first class of JDs in internal medicine and clinical immunology (IMCI) regarding the progress and implementation of this final year of internship.

METHODS

The IMCI JDs were invited to complete an anonymous online survey, contacted by email and social networks.

RESULTS

The questionnaire received 36 responses out of an estimated fifty JDs. The majority of JDs spent more than 70% of their time on conventional hospitalisation and less than 20% on scheduled hospitalisation. Most of them would have preferred to do more consultations and provide expert counsels. Weekly working hours were not respected for the majority of JDs. Personal education and academic formation were not respected for 77.8% of JDs. Overall, 75% were satisfied with their empowerment and 88.6% felt that the transition to post residency would be easier with the consolidation phase. A third reported that their residency had confirmed their apprehension about practising as an internist, and even that this apprehension might call into question their future practice.

CONCLUSION

This survey is an initial assessment of the implementation of the JD year in the IMCI residency. A collective effort around this last year of internship seems to be essential to ensure the personal and professional development of young internists.