Purpose: to assess patients` knowledge, perception and experience toward family medicine residents in primary health care clinics in Eastern Province of KSA.

Methods: This cross–sectional study included all accredited family medicine training clinics (N=7). Using validated and reliable self–administered questionnaire, 120 patients/care givers were randomly invited to participate in the study between from September 2016 till April 2017.

Results: One hundred and six patients/ care givers participated in the study. Regarding participants’ knowledge about the family medicine residents: (67.6%) of them don‘t know the clinic is belonging to the post graduate family medicine program, and (55.2%) of them said a resident is a medical student. Patients’ views and experience regarding the involvement of residents in their care were high. Patients‘ Job is significantly associated with the preference of residents‘ participation during a health care visit. Non health professionals and those who have no job prefer residents‘ participation much more than students and retired participants (P = .000). Patients‘ gender, education and job were found to be significantly associated with the preference of same gender residents‘ in their care (p= .018, .016, .036).

Conclusion: The study revealed a high positive experience and point of view toward family medicine trainee. However, most respondents have deficient information about family medicine residency program.