Factors related to residents’ desire and ability to teach in the clinical setting

Abstract There is a growing literature on the role of residents as teachers but little information describing the factors relating to a resident's desire or ability to teach. Twenty‐one residents were initially surveyed as to attitudes toward teaching, interpersonal characteristics, and other background information. Subsequently, the residents were rated on specific teacher characteristics by third‐year medical students over a 12‐month period. Residents’ desire to teach significantly correlated with enjoying work with students and with feeling that teaching was an important responsibility. Residents also felt that teaching improved their own clinical skills. Promoting students as active participants in the learning process was associated with both residents’ desire and ability to teach. Residents’ enjoyment of teaching correlated with overall teaching effectiveness. These results provide further background as to the profile of the resident teacher. Implications for modifying these attitudes and skills relating to residents’ desire and ability to teach are discussed.