ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore if the year of training in the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) increases the clinical aptitudes of trainees in this area. METHODS: All the PMR trainees in two units of PMR of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico City were evaluated (17 in their 1st year, 22 in their 2nd and 8 in their 3rd year of training). Their clinical aptitude was measured using a questionnaire of 296 items which explored 10 areas of knowledge. Non parametric statistics were used to evaluate the differences between scores by year of training. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between years of training in the areas specifically pertinent to the PMR specialty. The only difference was a higher rate of iatrogenic commission in the 1st year residents as compared with those in their 3rd year suggesting a better use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources of the latter. There was a poor performance in nearly all residents as 45 of the 47 scored in the low or very low range of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical aptitude of the PMR residents was poor in general. Our findings should be taken as a starting point to seek strategies to improve the training in the PMR specialty.
