A needs' assessment of interns was undertaken using a self-completion questionnaire and a semistructured interview. The questionnaire explored to what degree graduates had been helped to acquire a range of competencies and professional characteristics. In the interviews graduates discussed their self-perceived learning needs, their educational and training experiences and made suggestions. A 25% random sample of 1996 graduate doctors was selected from the five medical schools in Ireland (n=95). The overall response rate was 88% (n=84). The software package SPSS was utilized to carry out descriptive statistics on the questionnaire data while the interview data were analysed qualitatively. Of the responders, 91% reported that they were not prepared for all the skills needed as an intern. History taking and clinical examination were considered well covered at the undergraduate level but little training was received in a range of professional competencies and personal characteristics. Formal education and training during the intern year was found to be poor. However, some skills and characteristics improved during the year as a result of work experience. In the interviews the graduates explored educational issues. They considered an improved clinical experience throughout the undergraduate years to be at the heart of curriculum development but stressed that, in order to succeed, it would have to be accompanied by leadership within the healthcare system and efforts to improve the learning environment.