The preregistration year: Chaos by consensus.

A questionnaire was sent to all preregistration housemen who had graduated from the University of Birmingham in July, 1975. The results showed much dissatisfaction with the workings of the houseyear--specifically, with the long, sleepless hours of work, the almost negligible educational role of the year, the lack of time for human contact with patients, and the tendious, repetitive nature of the work. It is proposed that a shift system, which wound seem to be acceptable to most housemen, would solve many of these problems, and result in a better deal for both doctors and patients.