LAUSR

Aim The aim of this study was to conduct a nationwide evaluation of career satisfaction and training experience among residents in pediatrics in both Ireland and Turkey. Patients and methods Questionnaires were designed by the authors and distributed electronically in Turkey to paediatric residents. The same questionnaire was translated to English and distributed to pediatric residents in Ireland in paper format. Data was collected on demographics (age, gender), characteristics of training institution, exposure to physical or psychological violence, average number of night shifts per month and usage of antidepressants and was analysed using SPSS. Five hundred residents (332 (66.4%) female, 168 (33.6%) male) in Turkey and sixty-one residents (46 (75.4%) female, 15 (24.6%) male) in Ireland completed the questionnaire. Results Resident satisfaction was approximated using a composite score of academic and professional satisfaction. Resident satisfaction was rated higher in Ireland than in Turkey (p<0.001) with 42 (68.9%) participants in Ireland and 138 (27.6%) participants in Turkey satisfied with their training when analysed by this method.Four hundred (80%) Turkish residents and 33 (54.1%) Irish residents had considered resigning one or more times during their training, which represented a significant difference between the two countries (p<0.01). The average number of night shifts per month for Turkish and Irish residents was 7.37 and 4.44 respectively (p<0.001). Turkish residents were more likely to be taking antidepressant medication at the time of the survey (12.4% Turkish residents vs. 1.6% Irish residents, p<0.001). One-hundred and thirteen residents (22.6%) in Turkey and eleven (18%) residents in Ireland were subjected to physical violence by patients and/or relatives (p=0.08). Four hundred sixty-seven (93.4%) Turkish residents and thirty-eight (62.3%) Irish residents were exposed to psychological violence (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between sex, marital status, living alone, having a child or duration of training (p>0.05) Conclusion This international comparative study describes a wide variation in the level of career satisfaction among residents in pediatrics. Irish residents were reportedly more satisfied with training, less likely to have considered resigning from residency, worked fewer night shifts, reported lower rates of antidepressant use and less exposure to violence at work than their Turkish peers. Regional, cultural and social factors as well as variation in working conditions may impact resident satisfaction. Measures such as reducing frequency of night shifts and support from occupational health may improve resident experience. Collaboration between national training organisations may inspire ideas for positive change.