Assistant physicians' experience and perspectives on GETAT

Aim: In recent years, interest in Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) has been increasing worldwide and in our country. This study aimed to investigate the experiences and perspectives regarding T&CM among resident physicians working at Samsun Training and Research Hospital. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study. The study site was Samsun Training and Research Hospital in the province of Samsun. A total of 330 resident physicians were reached, constituting the study sample. Resident physicians who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 26.0 software package. Descriptive statistics are presented as mean, standard deviation, and median. Categorical variables were compared using Pearson's chi-square test. Bonferroni correction and logistic regression analysis were applied only for multiple comparisons. Results: The mean age of the physicians participating in the study was 30.8 ± 5.6 years, ranging from 24 to 59 years, with a median age of 29. Of the participants, 51.5% were male (n=170) and 48.5% were female (n=160). The average duration of medical practice was 5.8 ± 5.4 years. Most participants (70.3%) were residents in Internal Medicine departments, while 29.7% were in Surgical Sciences. Regarding knowledge about Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM), 67.9% of the residents reported having partial knowledge. When the sources of information were examined, nearly half (47.1%) stated that they obtained information from their social circle, family, or friends. The method most widely recognized by the participants was acupuncture, which 98.5% had heard of or were familiar with. Residents who had received TCM training during their residency were significantly more likely to find these practices beneficial compared to those without such training. In contrast, those who had not received TCM education more frequently expressed uncertainty or disbelief in the usefulness of these methods. When asked about including TCM courses in medical school curricula, the majority of those who supported such inclusion also viewed TCM practices as beneficial. A similar pattern was observed for the question regarding inclusion of TCM courses in residency education. Residents who had received TCM education during their specialty training were considerably more willing to pursue certification in the future, whereas those without prior education showed xi much less interest. Similarly, participants who believed that TCM should be included in residency training programs expressed a markedly greater intention to obtain certification compared to those who were undecided or opposed. Conclusion: This study, conducted among resident physicians at Samsun Training and Research Hospital, delineated experiences and perspectives regarding T&CM/GETAT. The findings indicate that residents' information on T&CM is shaped predominantly by media or environmental influences, with academic sources insufficiently utilized and limited curricular coverage during training. Although attitudes toward T&CM practices are generally positive, low levels of hands-on experience and certification are noteworthy. This pattern suggests that knowledge gaps and a lack of standardization may influence attitudes; however, when T&CM education is delivered alongside clinical experience, it appears to foster strong motivation for professional development and certification in this field. Keywords: Resident physicians, Experience, Perspective, Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM)