Unexpected consequences of the reform of residency training

What is it about?

From 2011 onwards all Dutch resident-training programs had to be competency-based, with structured time-capped internships, and predefined and measurable end terms. Residents learn to become a doctor in a real hospital setting. Residents create room to practice by presenting themselves as competent and reliable clinicians. Yet, the structured time-capped internships create social distance between the resident and the supervisor. Hence, the residents have less opportunities to learn to doctor.

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Why is it important?

This paper is based upon an extensive ethnographic study. It describes the unexpected consequences of the reform of medical training. Both supervisors and residents like the paper as it explains a consequence that they strongly feel, but that have not been described in any other evaluation studies.