scholarly journals Are family medicine residents trained to counsel patients on physical activity? The Canadian experience and a call to action

2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-140829
Author(s):  
Jane Thornton ◽  
Karim Khan ◽  
Richard Weiler ◽  
Christopher Mackie ◽  
Robert Petrella
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
Physical Activity Counselling ◽  
Online Educational Resources ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and early mortality. Family physicians have an important role in providing physical activity counselling to patients to help prevent and treat NCDs. Lack of training on physical activity counselling is a barrier in undergraduate medical education, yet little is known regarding physical activity teaching in postgraduate family medicine residency. We assessed the provision, content and future direction of physical activity teaching in Canadian postgraduate family medicine residency programs to address this data gap. Fewer than half of Canadian Family Medicine Residency Programme directors reported providing structured physical activity counselling education to residents. Most directors reported no imminent plans to change the content or amount of teaching. These results reflect significant gaps between the recommendations of WHO, which calls on doctors to prescribe physical activity, and the current curricular content and needs of family medicine residents. Almost all directors agreed that online educational resources developed to assist residents in physical activity prescription would be beneficial. By describing the provision, content and future direction of physical activity training in family medicine, physicians and medical educators can develop competencies and resources to meet this need. When we equip our future physicians with the necessary tools, we can improve patient outcomes and do our part to reduce the global epidemic of physical inactivity and chronic disease.

Teaching Tools to Teach Geriatric Medicine to Family Medicine Residents

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaqua EE ◽  
◽  
Nguyen V ◽  
Jubran A ◽  
Park S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Medicine ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Beers Criteria ◽  
San Bernardino County ◽  
Teaching Tools ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
San Bernardino ◽  
Loma Linda University ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

Objective: To determine if pocket-sized, reference guides are helpful tools for teaching geriatric medicine to family medicine residents. Setting: Loma Linda University Healthcare Education Consortium, a family medicine residency in San Bernardino County, California. Participants: Family medicine residents that successfully completed the required geriatrics rotation between July 2019 and June 2020. Results: From the twelve family medicine residents, 100% believed their geriatric medicine rotation helped them to be successful in residency. The preferred study tool was the pocket guides, mainly the “Geriatric Medicine Pocket Guide” and “2019 AGS Beers Criteria”. For a more comprehensive reading, the study tool most used was search engines such as Up-to-date and Dynamed. Geriatrics at Your Fingertips (Reuben et al., 2016) and the “Guiding Principles for the Care of Older Adults with Multimorbidity Pocket Card” were not as helpful due to the perceived increased efforts to rapidly find clinically relevant information. Conclusion: Pocket guides, especially “Geriatric Medicine Pocket Guide” and “2019 AGS Beers Criteria”, are helpful teaching tools that can be used to augment geriatric medicine education in a family medicine residency.

scholarly journals A structured curriculum and procedure clinic to help family medicine residents diagnose and treat skin cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Rivet ◽  
Farhad Motamedi ◽  
Joseph Burns ◽  
Douglas Archibald
Keyword(s):  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
Diagnosis And Management ◽  
Skin Cancers ◽  
Ideal Situation ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

Implication Statement Melanoma is a potentially deadly type of skin cancer that has been increasing in incidence but is curable if found in the early stages. Family physicians are in an ideal situation to examine the skin during routine visits, but studies indicate they are not well trained to detect or treat skin cancers. We piloted a structured, longitudinal, hands-on procedural curriculum to improve family medicine residents’ ability to identify and manage skin cancers. Family medicine residency programs wishing to improve the diagnosis and management of skin cancer by family physicians might consider trialing our structured curriculum and procedure clinic.

scholarly journals Immediate Postpartum IUD Training Within a Regional Network of Family Medicine Residencies

PRiMER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Sonali Sheth ◽  
Amanda K.H. Weidner ◽  
Patricia Egwuatu ◽  
Lauren Webb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Medicine ◽  
Overall Response Rate ◽  
Prior Training ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
Survey Sample ◽  
Training Opportunities ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

Background and Objective: Immediate postpartum placement of intrauterine devices (PPIUD) offers important benefits to patients. Little is known about PPIUD training or knowledge within family medicine residency programs. We evaluated PPIUD experience and prior training among family medicine residents and faculty. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of residents and faculty in 24 regional family medicine residency programs in 2018. Survey questions focused on reception of PPIUD training and experience with PPIUD counseling and placement. Results: The final survey sample included 203 residents and 100 faculty with an overall response rate of 39%. About 26% (n=79) of all participants reported receiving prior training for counseling and placement of PPIUDs, while 16% (n=48) of participants had ever placed a PPIUD. Twenty-six percent (n=78) of participants reported that their residency programs offered PPIUD training. Residents and faculty who reported past PPIUD training and/or placement experience were more likely to have ever counseled patients about PPIUD (P<.001) and report that their primary training hospital offered PPIUD to patients (P<.001) and their residency programs offered PPIUD training (P<.001). Conclusions: Few programs offer routine PPIUD training opportunities for family medicine residents and faculty, which may contribute to limited availability of PPIUD to patients. There is a need to improve PPIUD training and placement opportunities for both family medicine residents and faculty.

scholarly journals Improving After-Clinic Work Workflow in a Family Medicine Residency

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen V ◽  
◽  
Jaqua E ◽  
Oh A ◽  
Altamirano M ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Training Session ◽  
P Value ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
Resident Physicians ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

Introduction: The broad range of patients and diagnoses addressed by primary care physicians lends to a larger after-work clinic load. The resulting after-clinic work, including various in-basket tasks, can be a substantial burden to physicians, and potentially leading to burnout. The goal of this study is to generate a standardized workflow to improve physician after-clinic work efficiency and patient care. Methods: A nine-question pre- and post-intervention survey about afterclinic work management was administered to family medicine residents at a multi-specialty FQHC in California. The intervention was done in June 2020 and included a twenty-minute training session explaining how to implement a standardized in-basket management flowchart in a family medicine residency clinic. Results: Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using nonindependent paired sample t-tests. The survey was sent to all 40 family medicine residents. Pre- and post-intervention survey response rate was 77.5% and 97.5% respectively. The result of the nine questions post intervention were statistically significant (p value of <0.001). The standardized flowchart addressed adequate supervision of resident physicians’ patient care. Conclusion: The post-intervention results showed that having a clear and standardized flowchart enhanced the overall knowledge and understanding by the resident physicians in how to management the in-basket workflow. With increased patient access via telehealth and enhanced electronic medical records, it is essential to have effective teaching and supervision of resident physician after-clinic work. Successful teaching of after-clinic work will improve work-life balance and the overall success of the new primary care physician.

A Description of a Pharmacotherapy Curriculum in a University-Based Family Medicine Program

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 991-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn K. Bucci ◽  
Keith A. Frey
Keyword(s):  
Drug Therapy ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Residency Program ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
Local Schools ◽  
Rational Drug ◽  
The Family ◽  
Comprehensive Curriculum ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

OBJECTIVE: To describe the methods by which a family medicine residency program implements a pharmacotherapy curriculum. The goal of the curriculum is to teach family medicine residents the principles of rational drug therapy. SETTING: A university-based family medicine residency program. TEACHING STRATEGIES: Specific learning objectives are discussed and the following teaching strategies are expanded upon: (1) monthly noon conferences; (2) a printed formulary and pharmacotherapy handbook; (3) a pharmacy and therapeutics committee; (4) policy statements for drug representatives and use of samples; (5) an on-site pharmacy; (6) quarterly newsletter, and (7) inpatient consultation coverage. PHARMACIST ROLE: The role and responsibilities of the pharmacy faculty and pharmacist(s) who implement this curriculum and the methods used to evaluate its effectiveness are also described. The availability and funding of the pharmacy faculty member can sometimes be arranged with local schools of pharmacy seeking clerkship sites. Interaction with pharmacy students also serves to enhance the educational experience of the family medicine residents. CONCLUSIONS: The family medicine program implements a comprehensive curriculum designed to teach family medicine residents the principles of rational drug therapy. The curriculum may be expanded upon as necessary, or, if the entire program is not feasible, certain elements may be extracted and applied in other institutions.

scholarly journals Family Medicine Residency Graduates' Preparation for Quality Improvement Leadership

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 558-564
Author(s):  
Jonathan Lichkus ◽  
Bo Fang ◽  
Lars E. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Team Leadership ◽  
Certification Examination ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
The Past ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Standard Component ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

ABSTRACT Background Training in quality improvement (QI) is a standard component of family medicine residency education. Graduating family medicine residents' ability to lead QI initiatives is unknown. Objective We assessed the preparedness of graduating family medicine residents to lead QI projects and to identify factors that may increase such readiness. Methods Milestone data for all graduating family medicine residents were linked to a practice demographic questionnaire completed by the same residents who registered for the American Board of Family Medicine certification examination between 2014 and 2017. The change in self-assessed QI preparedness over time and its association with faculty-assigned milestone ratings were examined using descriptive and regression analyses. Results The questionnaire had a 100% response rate (12 208 responded). Between 2014 and 2017, the percentage of residents who self-reported being “extremely” or “moderately” prepared to lead QI projects increased from 72.7% (2208 of 3038) to 75.8% (2434 of 3210, P = .009). Self-reported QI team leadership was associated with 93% higher odds of feeling extremely prepared compared to moderately prepared (odds ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.58–2.35). The average midyear faculty-assigned milestone rating for QI among residents who felt “extremely” prepared was 3.28 compared to 3.14 among those who felt “not at all” prepared. Conclusions Over the past 4 years, family medicine residents' self-assessed preparedness to lead QI projects has barely increased. There was no correlation between self-assessed preparation and faculty-assigned milestone rating. However, we found a small association between self-reported QI leadership and self-assessed QI preparedness.

scholarly journals Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Family Medicine Residents: Attitudes and Confidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 457-460
Author(s):  
Jerica Johnson ◽  
David Stromberg ◽  
Byrch Willims ◽  
Nina Greenberg ◽  
Orrin Myers
Keyword(s):  
Family Medicine ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Family Medicine Residency ◽  
University Of New Mexico ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Family Medicine Residents

Background and Objectives: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly being incorporated into family medicine residency training. Attitudes towards POCUS among family medicine residents (FMRs) are largely unknown, and confidence levels with performing and interpreting POCUS exams are also unknown among this group of learners. Our aim was to evaluate FMRs’ attitudes and confidence levels before and after the implementation of a new POCUS curriculum. Methods: Study participants included FMRs in all postgraduate years (ie, PGY1-PGY3) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Family Medicine Residency Program. Our intervention was a yearlong implementation of a new POCUS curriculum based on the American Academy of Family Physicians POCUS curriculum guidelines. Our interventions included hands-on training sessions for both FMRs and faculty along with a resource website. We assessed attitudes and confidence levels with various POCUS exams using a pre- and postintervention survey. Results: Overall, FMRs felt significantly more confident in their ability to perform and interpret a point-of-care ultrasound after the implementation of POCUS curriculum. There was no significant difference in participants’ expectations of their use of POCUS during or after residency. Conclusions: Overall, this study provides evidence that the implementation of a POCUS curriculum that includes hands-on and didactic training is associated with increased confidence in utilizing POCUS among FMRs.

Physical Activity Counselling and Exercise Prescription Practices among Dietitians Across Nova Scotia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Myles W. O’Brien ◽  
Christopher A. Shields ◽  
Margaret J. Dunbar ◽  
Sandra J. Crowell ◽  
Jonathon R. Fowles
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Educational Training ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Prescription Practices ◽  
Physical Activity Counselling ◽  
Almost All

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions and practices around physical activity counselling and exercise prescription of dietitians in Nova Scotia. Dietitians (n = 95) across Nova Scotia completed an online self-reflection survey regarding their current physical activity and exercise (PAE) practices. Most (51%; n = 48) reported no previous PAE educational training. Dietitians infrequently prescribed exercise to their patients (16% ± 26% of appointments) or provided PAE referrals (17% ± 24%). Dietitians reported moderate confidence (57% ± 21%) performing PAE counselling and included PAE-related content in half of patient appointments (52% ± 31%). Almost all respondents (95%) identified interest in further PAE education or training. Open-ended responses also demonstrated the need for community-based exercise programs (28% of providers) and qualified exercise professionals to refer to (25%). Overall, dietitians report rarely providing patients with written exercise prescriptions or referrals to other professionals for PAE content but do frequently include PAE in patient appointments. Dietitians in Nova Scotia are well positioned to promote PAE, but more educational training and improved referral systems to qualified exercise professionals or community exercise programs is strongly desired. Exercise professionals and dietitians should concurrently advocate for these changes and collaborate to help more patients lead physically active lifestyles.

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