Perceptions of the preparedness of medical graduates for their responsibilities as “physicians of first contact”: a pilot study

Abstract

The objectives of the medical graduate training program are laid down by the Medical Council of India (MCI) since 1997 that was subjected to amendment till 2012. The graduate medical students are envisaged to provide first contact care inclusive of preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative aspect of medicine. However, significant gap in the clinical skills of graduate doctors in India are echoed by the team of medical education experts. This study aims to explore the perceptions of medical graduates in their preparedness towards their role as first contact clinicians and in management of common problems. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the perceptions, experiences and ideas of medical graduates during medical training, internship and tenure in a Family medicine unit. The themes emerged from the data include disappointment with the lack of opportunity for experiential learning and clinical reasoning, passiveness and perceived incompetence in clinical work and appreciation of learning opportunities in Family Medicine unit. The participants’ perception of lack of confidence in their role of first contact physician reflects the opportunities in the training schedule that needs further research and intervention to improve medical graduates’ preparedness for their role as primary care providers in India.