MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2227-9032 12 16 2024 Postgraduate Year Two Medical Residents' Awareness of Personal Development as a Physician during the Management of Inpatients: A Qualitative Study 1621 EN Kazuki Tokumasu Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Haruo Obara Department of General Internal Medicine, Okinawa Chubu Hospital Takanobu Hirosawa Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hiroko Ogawa Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Clinical experiences, helping relationships, and reflection are key factors for personal development for physicians. However, few studies have shown which experiences are important for personal growth and how medical residents specifically use their experiences for personal growth. The aim of this study was to identify from the medical residents' perspective which clinical experiences contribute to their personal development. We employed a qualitative design, conducting semi-structured interviews with ten postgraduate year two medical residents at a Japanese teaching hospital. The interviews were transcribed in interview memos, anonymized, and subjected to reflective thematic analysis to generate themes relevant to personal and professional development. Successful clinical experiences with autonomy and responsibility in clinical management were shown to be essential points for personal development as a physician. Autonomy in this study was the attitude of making one's own choices when managing patients. Responsibility was the obligation of the resident to take charge of a patient. Instructing junior trainees, appreciation received from patients, and approval granted by attending physicians reinforced their feelings of personal growth. The realization of what experiences and concepts influence medical residents' personal growth and development will make their professional development more effective. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.