Implementation of District Residency Programme (drp) on skill development, challenges faced, and feedback given by resident doctors (pgs)  in a tertiary teaching hospital in southern odisha: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The District Residency Programme (DRP), mandated by the National Medical Commission under Competency-Based Medical Education, aims to provide postgraduate medical residents with district-level healthcare exposure while strengthening healthcare delivery at peripheral institutions. However, evidence regarding residents’ educational experiences and challenges remains limited, particularly in Odisha. Objectives: To assess perceived cognitive and psychomotor competency acquisition among District Residents and evaluate challenges, satisfaction, and feedback regarding DRP implementation. Materials and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study included postgraduate residents from the 2021–2023 batches of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, who had completed DRP postings at designated healthcare institutions across Odisha. Data were collected using a validated, pilot-tested, 27-item questionnaire assessing participant characteristics, competency acquisition, challenges, and feedback. Categorical data were summarized as frequencies and percentages, and associations were assessed using appropriate categorical tests, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 100 participants, 56% were male, 44% were aged 25–30 years, and 47% were posted at District Headquarters Hospitals. Although 67% reported clinical involvement throughout the three-month posting, specialty-specific skill acquisition was limited. Academic continuity was affected by reduced opportunities for specialty study, research activities, and interaction with postgraduate guides. Seventy percent incurred expenses for basic amenities themselves. Postgraduate discipline was significantly associated with specialty-specific competency acquisition, safety, and overall satisfaction. Place of posting was significantly associated with availability of basic amenities (p=0.042) and responsibility for related expenditure (p=0.002). Overall satisfaction was predominantly neutral (56%). Conclusion: The DRP provides valuable clinical exposure but requires improvements in specialty-specific training, academic continuity, infrastructure, safety, supervision, and grievance redressal. Recommendation:  Structured specialty-specific supervision, regular academic linkage with parent institutions, adequate basic amenities, resident-safety measures, functional grievance-redressal mechanisms, and periodic resident feedback should be incorporated to strengthen DRP implementation.