OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in the psychosocial profile of medical trainees and residents in radiology and diagnostic imaging, to evaluate the professional aspirations and inner motivation driving their choice of the specialty of radiology and diagnostic imaging, as well as whether their professional satisfaction level improves the doctor-patient relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 26-question questionnaire including the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale was completed by medical trainees and residents. RESULTS: Self-esteem is above average for 39.6% of the respondents; aptitude for medicine or personal realization has motivated the choice of 38.7% of the students; for 50.9% of the respondents, the patients understand and assimilate the information received from doctors; 77.4% of the doctors are able to clarify the patients doubts. CONCLUSION: In terms of psychosocial profile, there is no difference between medical trainees and residents in radiology and diagnostic imaging. Professional aspirations and inner motivation have played equivalent roles in the specialty choice of medical trainees and residents. Medical residents are better prepared to succeed in a doctor-patient relationship than trainees.

Keywords: Medical residency, Motivation, Profile, Doctor-patient relationship

Objective: To highlight the relevance and necessity of implementing a service to provide psychological support to physicians specializing in radiology and imaging diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Qualitative research with application of a questionnaire to 219 residents and trainees in radiology and imaging diagnosis, in the period between 2007 and 2009. The questionnaire included questions regarding their psychosocial profile, perception of the level of relationship with the service team, level of learning, psychological difficulties and evaluation of the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Among the respondents, 116 (53%) were women and 103 (47%) were men. Most of them, 170 (77.6%), were in the age range between 20 and 30 years. It was observed that 51.1% of the respondents presented anxiety and 54.8%, depression symptoms. Among the respondents, 44.8% showed interest in seeking psychological assistance to address their problems. Conclusion: The implementation of a service to provide psychological support to residents and trainees in radiology and imaging diagnosis should be done by psychologists specialized in hospital and clinical psychology, skilled to welcome and assist them to deal with difficulties in the training, as well as in their adaptation and integration, thus contributing to reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Keywords: Internship and medical residency; Anxiety; Depression.