CAIR-Nanos Survey Shows Specialty Residents Losing Confidence in Job Prospects - Long Work Hours Takes a Toll

OTTAWA, Nov. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Internes and Residents (CAIR) today released key findings from their 2012 National Resident Survey.

New research offers useful insights into the current situation of resident physicians. Results show that 1 in 5 residents described their current situation as "still looking for employment for after graduation." Of the 19.4% who were still looking, the majority (87%) were in specialty-training programs.

When asked about their confidence in future job prospects, confidence among family medicine residents was high (97% confident or somewhat confident). By contrast, residents in Surgical Specialties were the least likely to feel confident (48% confident or somewhat confident).

"CAIR conducts research every year to identify emerging issues for postgraduate medical education, physician and patient wellbeing, and the practice of medicine in Canada," said CAIR President Dr. Simon Moore. "This survey points to the employment challenges that residents in some specialties are having and that the level of concern is widespread. Patients depend on access to specialists in their communities. We need better Health Human Resources planning to ensure such access is not further jeopardized.

"Job prospects are a growing concern for residents, but they should also be a concern for policy makers. If we want the right health care providers to match our future needs, we need a national response to health human resources now."

Another insight coming out of the survey is that more than 3 in 4 residents said they had made errors at work due to the consecutive number of hours they are required to work, and more than half said they had been in potentially hazardous driving situations due in part to work- related fatigue.  This is a clear indication that a reduction in the number of consecutive hours worked may be needed to ensure the continued safety of patients and their physicians.

"The survey suggests that internes and residents are under a significant amount of stress resulting from long hours and concern over future job prospects," said Nanos Research President Nik Nanos.

Nanos Research conducted the national resident survey between April 29 and May 31, 2012. The online survey focused on different aspects of members' residency experience, workload, future plans, employment opportunities, and other issues of concern and interest to resident physicians across Canada. A total of 2,305 CAIR members¹ participated in the survey, resulting in a participation rate of 29.1%.

Click here to view the Summary of Key Findings - 2012 NATIONAL RESIDENT SURVEY

About CAIR:

The Canadian Association of Internes and Residents (CAIR) is the national representative body of over 8,000 Resident Physicians in Canada. CAIR is a resident-driven organization that works collaboratively with other national health organizations to continuously improve patient care and explore new approaches to the delivery of health care. CAIR works to achieve consensus on policy and advocacy issues of a national interest. It delivers improvement to the lives of Resident Physicians in such areas as personal well-being, the quality of medical education, and professionalism.

About Nanos

Nanos Research is one of Canada's most trusted research organizations. Our team of professionals provides to our clients the latest quantitative and qualitative techniques in order to deliver superior intelligence and market advantage. Services range from traditional telephone surveys, through to elite in-depth interviews, online research and focus groups. Whether it is understanding customer needs and satisfaction, engaging employees or testing new ads or products, Nanos provides insight you can trust.

http://www.nanosresearch.com/main.asp

¹CAIR members include all residents in Canada, excluding Quebec.

SOURCE: The Canadian Association of Internes and Residents

Contact:

Rita Mezzanotte
CAIR Communications Consultant
416-271-0667

Nik Nanos
President and CEO, Nanos Research
613-234-4666 x 237