Usefulness of a systematic exit survey for assessing residents’ satisfaction with postgraduate training: a pilot study

Context: Residents and chief-residents’ satisfaction assessment is important to promote quality training services in hospitals, and to adapt postgraduate training as well as working conditions. Exit interviews are helpful but are time consuming and not easy to manage in a large hospital. The usefulness of exit questionnaire has been demonstrated in large organisations. We wanted to assess the feasibility of implementing a routine exit questionnaire for physicians and the ability of the exit questionnaire to identify fields in need for quality improvement. Methods: From 2010 to 2014, we sent by post a self-reported questionnaire on satisfaction with working conditions, postgraduate training and supervision to residents and chief-residents leaving the hospital. Results: We obtained a response rate of 33%. The sample was representative of the resident population of our hospital considering gender and activity rate. Global satisfaction was good with 75.6% of respondents who agreed or strongly agreed with the proposed statements. The results of the survey were in line with what had been previously found using time-consuming exit interviews. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the feasibility and relevance to measure residents and chief-residents satisfaction using an exit questionnaire. The questionnaire used was easy to apply and provided relevant information for our teaching hospital in the Swiss context. The fields in need for improvement of postgraduate education were the appraisal system and individual career path counseling.