The internship period should be seen as an integral phase in the overall development of the mature competent physician, Indeed it is a crucial phase because it is the first opportunity for the budding doctor to take independent decisions, which he/she later defends to his/her supervisors. It is therefore an important time for consolidating in practical terms, the foundations of his/her basic medical education initiated during his undergraduate experience in Medical School.
It is appropriate that its objectives, strategies and indeed modalities of execution and assessment are explicitly examined for the benefit of both trainee and trainer.
With the increasing output of the dental and medical institutions in the country, the internship programmed must perforce include suitably equipped health facilities not previously involved in the process as it necessarily enhances the standard of practice throughout the country. There is the need for a comprehensive review of the entire programme of internship training with a view to ensuring uniformity throughout the health service. The implementation of the structured system that is thus evolved is critical and this can be best achieved through adherence to laid down protocol and documented through the use of log books. This is the mission of this booklet; and it is hoped that it meets the expectation of both the trainer and trainee.