Considerations on the implementation of the Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology training program in Spanish hospitals: A national survey

Introduction

The specialty of Microbiology and Parasitology is a four-year multidisciplinary training with a central role in the diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases.

The aim of this study is to analyze the degree of implementation of the official program and the degree of satisfaction of residents with their training.

Methods

We conducted an online survey distributed in eight sections to which active residents of the Specialty of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology had access.

Results

A total of 69 responses were received, with a predominance of residents from the regions of Madrid (43.5%) and of FIR admission route (55%).

The areas in which the residents feel best prepared correspond to systematic bacteriology, antimicrobials and clinical aspects of microbiology. The areas with the worst preparation, on the other hand, are mycology, parasitology and microbiological emergencies.

There are significant differences between the clinical rotation time for residents with MIR access pathway with respect to residents with other degrees.

Respondents perceive a high degree of responsibility and a medium agreement with the quality of teaching. Attendance at clinical sessions and external rotations is frequent.

Research activity is perceived as complicated, both at the level of doctoral studies and with respect to entering research lines and the publication of scientific results.

Conclusion

Some points of improvement of the training itinerary have been identified that need to be reinforced. Likewise, it would be interesting to seek a better balance between care, teaching and research activities.