INTERN LEARNING AND EDUCATION IN A SHORT-STAY UNIT - A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Objective: To study interns' perceptions of their learning during thei r rotation through a short stay unit (SSU). Design: Case-based, qualit ative research study. Setting: A tertiary care pediatric hospital (The Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass). Participants: Ten interns who had worked in the SSU in the 3 months prior to June 1, 1995, and on a gen eral medical team in the previous 12 months. Intervention: None. Main Outcome Measures: In July 1995, the interns participated in focused, o pen-ended interviews lasting about 40 to 60 minutes to document their perceptions of their learning during their SSU rotation. The interview s were recorded on audiotape and transcribed prior to analysis. Data w ere analyzed to discern and categorize themes from the interns' respon ses. Results: All interns responded favorably to their educational and learning experiences during their rotation through the SSU. Two major themes emerged: (1) the interns' learning, which was affected by the role of the attending physician, the organization and structure of the SSU, and the teaching strategies in the SSU; and (2) the interns' col laborative work with the nursing staff in the SSU, which affected pati ent care but did not facilitate the interns' learning. Conclusion: Clu stering in the SSU of patients whose symptoms suggested straightforwar d diagnoses enhanced interns' educational experiences.