Quality of Care for Japanese Physicians-in-Training
Author Information
Author(s): Hayashino Yasuaki, Fukuhara Shunich, Matsui Kunihiko, Noguchi Yoshinori, Minami Taro, Bertenthal Dan, Peabody John W, Mutoh Yoshitomo, Hirao Yoshihiko, Kikawa Kazuhiko, Fukumoto Yohei, Hayano Junichiro, Ino Teruo, Sawada Umihiko, Seino Jin, Higuma Norio, Ishimaru Hiroyasu
Primary Institution: Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study aimed to determine the association between clinical exposure, self-reports of clinical competence, and quality of care among physicians-in-training in internal medicine.
Conclusion
Quality of care improved with more clinical exposure and higher self-reports of competence, but not with years after graduation.
Supporting Evidence
- 263 out of 375 eligible participants completed the study.
- Quality of care increased significantly with the number of cases seen (p = 0.0005).
- Self-reports of clinical competence were positively associated with quality of care (p = 0.0095).
- Quality of care improved rapidly for the first 100 to 200 cases seen.
Takeaway
The more cases doctors see during their training, the better they become at providing care, especially in the beginning.
Methodology
Cross-sectional study using univariate and multivariate linear analyses in 11 teaching hospitals in Japan.
Potential Biases
Self-reports of competence may not align with actual skills due to potential misclassification.
Limitations
The study did not adjust for medical school provenance or academic performance.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily first (57.8%) and second-year (28.5%) residents, with a mean of 1.8 years after graduation.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0005
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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