How the trainee intern year can ease the transition from undergraduate education to postgraduate practice.

The trainee intern (TI) year is unique to New Zealand medical education. The TI year occupies a complete calendar year in which the medical student is immersed in clinical care as part of healthcare teams. The TI year is an example of a 'capstone' course; integrating theory into practice, fine tuning workplace skills, and easing the transition from undergraduate medical student to practising clinician. We discuss the TI year within the context of 'transition shock'. Transition shock, related to movement between contexts or levels of responsibility, is not unique to medicine or the healthcare professions. This shock is multifactorial but there are many ways that the structure and activities of the TI year may ease this transition. The TI year is valuable in terms of its potential to improve preparedness, both real and perceived, but further research and ongoing evaluation is still required.