US dermatology residents' satisfaction with training and mentoring: survey results from the 2005 and 2006 Las Vegas Dermatology Seminars

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate residents' satisfaction with dermatology training and mentorship.

Design: Written survey.

Setting: The Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar in 2005 and 2006.

Participants: Graduating dermatology residents in the United States.

Main outcome measures: Satisfaction with and importance of 26 training components, overall training satisfaction, satisfaction with availability and quality of mentors, and time spent outside the clinics and classroom with mentors.

Results: Of dermatology residents attending the 2005 and 2006 seminars, 57 (50%) and 49 (54%), respectively, completed the survey. In 2006, 38 more surveys were received by mail, for a combined total of 144 respondents. In 2005 and 2006, respectively, 44 (77%) and 66 (76%) residents scored training at or above 7 on a 10-point rating scale. Residents were most satisfied with peer teaching, medical dermatology training, pathology slide sessions, and live patient conferences and least satisfied with business management and dermoscopy training. Discrepancies between perceived importance and satisfaction were greatest for business management, time for independent study, and responsiveness to resident input. Residents spending 30 minutes (the median) or more per month outside of clinics and the classroom with someone they defined as a mentor reported higher training satisfaction (8.0 vs 7.2; P = .02). Resident-perceived program mentor availability (P = .001 in 2005, P=.002 in 2006) and quality (P =.002 in 2005, P < or = .001 in 2006) were also associated with increased overall training satisfaction.

Conclusions: Of 26 training components, residents were most dissatisfied with business management training. Resident training satisfaction was associated with program mentor availability and quality, as well as time spent with mentors.