Moving from Struggle to Success: Strategies for Addressing and Cultivating Competence among Problem Residents in Medical Education

Abstract

In the field of medical education, problem residents refer to those postgraduate students who demonstrate a consistent range of behavior, skills, or attitudes that interfere with their ability to learn, deliver quality health care to patients, and work in collaboration with their team members. The process of identification of problem residents and responding to their needs is critical to maintaining the quality of medical education and also ensures patient safety. There is an immense need to address the issue of problem residents in the department, and every institution or department must prioritize it by being proactive. Identification of problem residents is crucial to ensure that we are in a position to intervene and offer appropriate support to timely respond to their weaknesses and thereby facilitate their professional growth. In conclusion, problem residents pose a challenging situation in medical education that necessitates a diversified and multipronged approach for effective resolution. The process of identification, management, and resolution of problem residents is critical to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care, maintain a safe and enabling learning environment, and sustain the integrity of residency programs.