Psychosocial evaluation of physicians receiving adaptation training in family practice

Authors: OLGUN GÖKTAŞ, OĞUZ TEKİN, SEVSEN CEBECİ

Abstract: To identify the psychosocial conditions of physicians who received the first phase of the transition period adaptation training for family medicine practice in Bursa, and develop an efficient and reliable scale to take measurements during subsequent training processes. Materials and methods: A pilot test was given, using survey methodology, to physicians (442 people) who attended the first phase of the transition period adaptation training for family medicine practice in province of Bursa, Turkey, in 2008. The survey questions were designed to assess 3 factors: A- Adaptation to the program, B- Occupational self-confidence, and C- Non-exhaustion. Each factor was represented by 10 to 11 questions. A 5-point Likert-type scale was used for assessment (I-Strongly agree, II- Agree, III-Neither agree nor disagree, IV- Disagree, V-Strongly disagree.). Questions involving age, gender, length of professional experience, opinions about the training, knowledge and opinions of the family practice system, as well as views about the future work practice of each participant were asked. The contents of the 31-question survey to be used for the Pilot Test, along with its validity in terms of scope and content investigated, taking the views of 3 specialist doctors. Then, the survey was given to 442 doctors who participated in adaptation training, both before and after the training program. The results were analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program. Reliability analysis was performed for all the factors in all 31 questions. Having removed the questions lowering the reliability in each factor, the remaining 17 questions were classified in 3 factors, by applying Factor Analysis (Quatrimax Method). Results: Two hundred seventy-one male (61.3%) and 171 female (38.7%) physicians participated in the survey. Mean age and length of professional experience was higher in males than females. While the majority of the participants (72%) thought the training they received was just an activity that would improve their adaptation, a small percentage (7.9%) thought that it would increase their professional competence. Statistically speaking, mean occupational self-confidence factor scores were higher in post-training tests compared to the mean scores before training (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Findings show that the first phase of the transition period adaptation training for family medicine provides a positive beginning and psychosocial improvement for these family medicine practitioners.

Keywords: Family practice, adaptation training, psychological effect, assessment scale

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