A study on transition shock among first-year residents in China: survey data based on latent profile analysis

Transition shock among first-year residents exhibits significant heterogeneity. These findings provide evidence for developing targeted intervention strategies. Higher levels of professional cognition, commitment, and expectation are associated with lower levels of transition shock. However, a strong sense of professional values is associated with higher transition shock, a relationship potentially mediated by an idealism-reality gap. It is recommended that tiered competency-building interventions should be implemented for the high physical-knowledge/skill shock group, and a dual-track support system should be designed for Master of Medicine degree candidates.