AIMS: To survey Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) and Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) working at Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) on various aspects of RMO-working conditions and to trial the use of electronic keypad responders for this purpose.METHODS: In April 2004, the Physicians Grand Round at ADHB was used as a forum to conduct a survey on RMO working conditions in New Zealand. Results were collected anonymously using electronic keypad responders and recorded in a spreadsheet to allow analysis and comparison of the two professional groups.RESULTS: 27 RMOs and 32 SMOs attended and participated in the survey, answering 11 questions. Responses showed significant differences between the two groups in 7 of the 11 questions asked. In addition, both groups favoured changes to the status quo on a significant number of issues.CONCLUSIONS: RMOs and SMOs in New Zealand have differing opinions regarding the working conditions of RMOs. This study supports the need for wider scale, national discussion of these issues and the development of appropriate strategies to address these differences and their implications.
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