Motivations for learning of family medicine residents trained in competency-based education

Background and objective: Family physicians regularly encounter clinical uncertainty and ambiguity and thus, are expected to engage in on-going learning to respond to changing needs of family practice. Using Achievement Goal Theory, the objective of this study was to examine motivations for learning of family medicine residents in a competency-based program. Method: This was a cross-sectional study, employing a survey methodology with family medicine residents at the mid-point of training at a Canadian university. Multivariate analyses of variance and covariance were used to examine residents' goal orientations (performance approach, mastery approach, performance avoidance, mastery avoidance) for the group as a whole and to test for the effects of residents' gender and program stream (urban/rural), respectively. Results: A total of 52 (67%) residents completed the survey. Overall, residents scored highest on mastery approach and lowest on performance avoidance, thus, exhibiting adaptive motivations for learning. Male residents demonstrated higher levels of performance approach, performance avoidance, and mastery avoidance than female residents. No significant differences in goal orientations were found between urban and rural residents. Conclusions: Family medicine residents trained in the culture of competency-based education appear to be mastery approach oriented. This motivation orientation is critical in the dynamic practice of family medicine and is consistent with the life-long learning mandate of the medical profession.