Perspectives of family medicine residents in Jeddah on leadership training: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of family medicine (FM) residents in Jeddah on leadership training to provide guidance to the development of the leadership training curriculum.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 119 residents of the Family Medicine Saudi Board Program in Jeddah during January to October 2024. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of three parts: assessment of the resident's agreement with leadership ideals, evaluation of exposure to leadership domains, and identification of leadership training opportunities during residency. The link of the questionnaire was shared with the residents through WhatsApp. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables, while medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were used for ordinal data. Mann- Whitney U test was used to compare differences between two independent groups (age and gender) and Kruskal-Wallis test was utilized for comparisons involving more than two groups (year of residency and training site).

Results: Majority of the family medicine residents in Jeddah supported the integration of leadership training into residency (median = 6, interquartile range [IQR] = 2), highlighting importance of clinical and community leadership roles (median = 7, IQR = 2). Female residents demonstrated a significantly higher appreciation for leadership training than males (P = 0.008). Exposure to leadership domains varied, with self-awareness and administration most emphasized, while professionalism and character development were less prominent. Preferred training formats included workshops (80.7%) and leadership mentors (71.4%), which underscored the demand for practical and guided approaches.

Conclusion: The findings highlight a strong demand by FM residents for a structured leadership training, with particular emphasis on practical and mentorship-based approaches. Incorporating leadership development into residency programs is essential to equip future family physicians with the skills necessary for effective roles in clinical and community leadership.