CLINICAL APTITUDE OF RESIDENTS OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

Objective. To explore if the year of training in the specialty of phys ical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) increases the clinical aptitude s of trainees in this area. Methods. All the PMR trainees in two units of PMR of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico City were e valuated (17 in their 1 st year, 22 in their 2nd and 8 in their 3d yea r of training). Their clinical aptitude was measured using a questionn aire of 296 items which explored 10 areas of knowledge. Non parametric statistics were used to evaluate the differences between scores by ye ar of training. Results. There were no significant differences between years of training in the areas specifically pertinent to the PMR spec ialty. The only difference was a higher rate of iatrogenic comision in the 1 st year residents as compared with those in their 3d year sugge sting a better use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources of the latt er. Their was a poor performance in nearly all residents as 45 of the 47 scored in the low or very low range of knowledge. Conclusions. The clinical aptitude of the PMR residents was poor in general. Our findin gs should be taken as a starting point to seek strategies to improve t he training in the PMR specialty.