RESUMEN
Objectives: To evaluate new residents' perceptions of their own preparedness for clinical practice and examine the associated factors
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on August 20-23, 2016. New residents accepted for postgraduate training by Oman Medical Specialty Board were asked to complete the Preparation for Hospital Practice Questionnaire [PHPQ]. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22
Results: A total of 160 residents were invited to participate in this study. Out of 160, 140 residents participated [87.5%], 70.7% were female and 59.3% were graduates from Sultan Qaboos University [SQU]. Ninety-nine percent of the graduates were either 'well prepared' or 'fairly well prepared' for hospital practice. Male residents scored higher in the confidence scale, while residents who did a postinternship general practice placement scored higher in understanding science. Graduates from Oman Medical College felt more prepared compared to graduates from SQU
Conclusions: Most of the new residents were well prepared to clinical work. Factors such as place of undergraduate study, training, and duration of internship significantly influenced the residents' perception of preparedness. Addressing these factors will enhance residents' preparedness for clinical work
RESUMEN
Recent improvements in health and an increased standard of living in Oman have led to a reduction in environment-related and infectious diseases. Now the country is experiencing an epidemiological transition characterised by a baby boom, youth bulge and increasing longevity. Common wisdom would therefore suggest that Omanis will suffer less ill health. However, a survey of literature suggests that chronic non-communicable diseases are unexpectedly becoming common. This is possibly fuelled by some socio-cultural patterns specific to Oman, as well as the shortcomings of the 'miracle' of health and rapid modernisation. Unfortunately, such new diseases do not spare younger people; a proportion of them will need the type of care usually reserved for the elderly. In addition, due to their pervasive and refractory nature, these chronic non-communicable diseases seem impervious to the prevailing 'cure-oriented' health care system. This situation therefore calls for a paradigm shift: a health care system that goes beyond a traditional cure-orientation to provide care services for the chronically sick of all ages