WORK PROCESS IN MEDICAL RESIDENCY: THE SUBORDINATION OF TEACHING AND LEARNING TO THE EXPLOITATION OF THE RESIDENT WORKFORCE

Abstract The suffering of medical residents caused by their working conditions is broadly described in the literature. The conditions imposed on this type of work, often unacceptable, are object of scientific investigations, and are fully aware of those who work in health and medical education. This study was conducted in 2010 in order to describe the main aspects of these conditions in two public hospitals in Curitiba (Brazil) and reflect on the reasons and mechanisms reproduction of most of them. We conducted a cross-sectional study from the application of questionnaires, for the explanation of the protective critical processes and destructive ones in health of medical residents. Of the 100 medical residents in his or her first year in activity in the hospitals studied, 58 participated in the survey. The results show high weekly working hours, high number of continuous working hours, lack of supervision and high load stress. The working process is characterized by the subordination of teaching and learning to the exploitation of the labor force of residents, becoming more like destructive than as a protector of his or her health.