Resumo

HUTTON, Lauren N. et al. Evaluating the new family medicine internship programmes in the Western Cape, South Africa. SAFP [online]. 2024, vol.66, n.1, pp.1-8. ISSN 2078-6204.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5837.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, South Africa introduced a new 6-month internship in family medicine and primary care. This study aimed to assess the new rotation at district health facilities in the Western Cape METHODS: A descriptive survey of interns and supervisors, as phase-two of an exploratory sequential mixed methods study. Questionnaires were developed from a descriptive exploratory qualitative study. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 72 interns (response rate 21%) and 36 supervisors (response rate 90%), across 10 training programmes. Interns felt more independent (97.2%), confident (90.3%) and resilient (91.6%). They learnt to manage undifferentiated and chronic conditions (91.6%), to refer patients (94.3%) and conduct procedures (77.8%). Most interns were not exposed to community-based services (68.0%) and continuity of care (54.1%). Supervision was mostly adequate during the day (79.1%) and afterhours (80.6%). Many interns reported no structured teaching programme (41.7% - 55.6%). Most supervision was from medical officers and registrars. Supervisors saw interns as valuable members of the clinical team (100.0%), who required extra support and administration (42.5%). The majority of interns (75.0%) and supervisors (72.7%) thought the rotation was the right length and the best preparation for community service (67.6% CONCLUSION: The rotation met most expectations of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Programmes need to improve exposure to community-orientated primary care, public health medicine, palliative and ongoing care. Supervision and orientation of interns needs improvement CONTRIBUTION: This is the first evaluation of the new family medicine internship programme in South Africa

Palavras-chave : interns; internship; family medicine; primary care; primary health care; clinical training; medical education.

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