scholarly journals A Longitudinal Curriculum for Quality Improvement, Leadership Experience, and Scholarship in a Family Medicine Residency Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 570-575
Author(s):  
Susan D. Pohl ◽  
Sonja Van Hala ◽  
Dominik Ose ◽  
Benjamin Tingey ◽  
Jennifer P. Leiser

Background and Objectives: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires all residents be trained in quality improvement (QI), and that they produce scholarly projects. While not an ACGME requirement, residents need leadership skills to apply QI knowledge. We developed the Skills-based Experiential Embedded Quality Improvement (SEE-QI) curriculum to integrate training in QI, leadership, and scholarship. Methods: The University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program began using the novel curriculum in 2012. The aim of the curriculum is to tie didactic teaching in quality improvement, leadership, and scholarship with skills application on multidisciplinary QI teams. Coaching for resident leaders is provided by faculty. Third-year resident leaders prepare academic presentations. Results of the ACGME Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI) 3 scores and number of scholarship presentations are described as a measure of efficacy. Results: Two cohorts of residents completed the curriculum and all competency assessments. The average initial and final competency scores for competency PBLI-3 showed improvement and the average final competency for each cohort was above the proficient level. The residency requirements for QI scholarship did not change with introduction of the curriculum, but the amount of optional curricular QI scholarship and independent QI scholarship increased. Conclusions: The SEE-QI curriculum resulted in a high level of resident QI competency, opportunity for leadership training, and an increase in scholarship. We studied the results of this curriculum at one institution. Efforts to tie QI, leadership, and scholarship training should be evaluated at other programs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Zaki ◽  
Teresa Cavett ◽  
Gayle Halas

Abstract Background Field notes (FNs) are used in Family Medicine residency programs to foster reflective learning and facilitate formative assessment. Residents assess their strengths and weaknesses and develop action plans for further improvement. This study explored the use of FNs in the University of Manitoba’s Family Medicine residency program 5 years after their implementation. Methods This multi-method study examined 520 FNs from 16 recent graduates from the University of Manitoba Family Medicine residency program. Quantitative analysis (frequencies and means) enabled descriptions and comparisons between training sites. Four themes emerged from inductive content analysis highlighting common ideas reflected upon. Results Residents displayed cyclical variation in the FN generation over 2 years. Eight of the 99 Priority Topics (addressing complex psychosocial issues) were not captured in this data set. The domains of Care of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis; Care of the Vulnerable and Underserved; and Behavioural Medicine and the CanMEDS-FM roles of FM – Procedural Skill, Leader/Manager, and Professional were less frequently reflected upon. Four themes (Patient-Centered Care, Patient Safety, Achieving Balance, and Confidence) were identified from qualitative analysis of residents’ narrative notes. Conclusions Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development was proposed as a lens through which to examine factors influencing resident learning. Residents’ discomfort with certain topics may lead to avoidance in reflecting upon certain competencies in FNs, impacting skill acquisition. Further research should explore factors influencing residents’ perceptions FNs and how to best assist residents in becoming competent, confident practitioners.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 427-435
Author(s):  
Kyle Bradford Jones ◽  
Katherine Fortenberry ◽  
Osman Sanyer ◽  
Rachel Knighton ◽  
Sonja Van Hala

Objective To describe the process of creating the Family Medicine Vital Signs blog, curated and edited by residents and faculty at the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program and to obtain feedback from participants regarding educational impact. Methods Each resident and faculty member contributes at least one blog post per year (with other invited authors), resulting in one post per week on the blog site. An editorial board composed of residents and faculty provides direction and editorial assistance for each post. Residency staff assist in providing authors with reminders and logistical support. A survey was conducted of blog contributors to understand their perceptions of the blog’s educational value. Results The Family Medicine Vital Signs blog was started in July 2014, with 40% (n = 68) of the 170 posts provided by residents, 38.2% (n = 65) by faculty, and 21.8% (n = 37) by invited authors through June 2017. It has averaged nearly 100 unique readers per week and has had 15 posts republished in different venues. The participant survey demonstrated scores above the median-possible score, showing positive impact in support of the educational goals. Conclusion A residency blog provides a venue for educational instruction, supporting physician development of communication skills, community engagement, and advocacy.


PRiMER ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine T. Fortenberry ◽  
Sonja Van Hala ◽  
Caren J. Frost

Introduction: Residency training is a peak time of physician distress, but also a venue in which residents can learn skills to thrive in a high-risk career. The goal of this study was to examine residents’ perceptions of the value of teaching wellness as an integrated component of a residency program. Methods: Researchers at the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program conducted a focus group with graduating family medicine residents regarding their perception of wellness and wellness skills, after having completed an intentional wellness curriculum integrated through their 3 years of residency. We used open coding to identify themes of the residents’ perceptions of the wellness curriculum. Results: Four interconnected themes emerged: (1) describing the relevance of wellness to a medical career; (2) the wellness curriculum as prioritized and intentional; 3) The value of wellness skills learned through the curriculum; and (3) the role of community ethos in maintaining wellness. Conclusions: Residents consider wellness to be a critical facet of being an effective physician. Our results suggest that a culture of wellness can be created through deliberate and transparent curricular design, helping residents to view wellness as a priority.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seul Jee Ha ◽  
Sridhar Reddy Patlolla ◽  
Thomas Robert Wojda

High-level emotional Intelligence (EI) and leadership skills are crucial for physicians to prioritize responsibilities and successfully interact with numerous stakeholders in an every-increasingly complex healthcare system. Although recent research has shown an association between emotional intelligence and leadership, few studies have examined this relationship among family and primary care physicians. Family physicians play an essential role in the evaluation and treatment of illnesses as well as health and wellness promotion. These providers are often the first point of contact with the patient and the use of emotional intelligence and development of leadership abilities of primary care physicians are vital to the maintenance, sustainability, and optimization of a medical organization. Furthermore, high- level emotional intelligence and sharpened leadership skills may aid the patient-provider relationship and dealings with coworkers. This chapter explores key themes of EI and physician leadership as it pertains to Family Medicine Residency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-201
Author(s):  
Joshua St. Louis ◽  
Emma Worringer ◽  
Wendy B. Barr

Background and Objectives: As the opioid crisis worsens across the United States, the factors that impact physician training in management of substance use disorders become more relevant. A thorough understanding of these factors is necessary for family medicine residency programs to inform their own residency curricula. The objective of our study was to identify factors that correlate with increased residency training in addiction medicine across a broad sample of family medicine residencies. Methods: We performed secondary analysis of a national family medicine residency program director survey conducted in 2015-2016 (CERA Survey PD-8). We obtained data from the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) Data Clearinghouse. We analyzed residency clinic site designation as a patient-centered medical home (PCMH), federally-qualified health center (FQHC), or both, for their correlation with faculty member possession of DEA-X buprenorphine waiver license, as well as required residency curriculum in addiction medicine. Results: Residency programs situated in an FQHC were more likely to have faculty members who possessed DEA-X buprenorphine waiver licenses (P=.025). Residency clinics that were both a PCMH as well as an FQHC also correlated strongly (P=.001). Furthermore, residencies with faculty who possessed a DEA-X license were significantly more likely to have a required curriculum in addiction medicine (P=.002). Conclusions: Our quantitative secondary analysis of CERA survey data of family medicine residency program directors revealed that resident training in addiction medicine is strongly correlated with both residency clinic setting (FQHC or FQHC/PCMH) as well as residency faculty possession of DEA-X licenses.


Author(s):  
Kirsten R. Butcher ◽  
Madlyn Runburg ◽  
Roger Altizer

Dino Lab is a serious game designed to explore the potential of using games in scientific domains to support critical thinking. Through collaborations with educators and scientists at the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU), game designers and learning scientists at the University of Utah, and Title I middle school teachers and students, the authors have developed a beta version of Dino Lab that supports critical thinking through engagement in a simulation-based game. Dino Lab is organized around four key game stages that incorporate high-level goals, domain-specific rule algorithms that govern legal plays and resulting outcomes, embedded reflection questions, and built-in motivational features. Initial play testing has shown positive results, with students highly engaged in strategic game play. Overall, results suggest that games that support critical thinking have strong potential as student-centered, authentic activities that facilitate domain-based engagement and strategic analysis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Carek ◽  
Joseph W. Gravel ◽  
Stanley Kozakowski ◽  
Perry A. Pugno ◽  
Gerald Fetter ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To examine the opinions of family medicine residency program directors concerning the potential impact of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) resident duty hour recommendations on patient care and resident education. Methods A survey was mailed to 455 family medicine residency program directors. Data were summarized and analyzed using Epi Info statistical software. Significance was set at the P < .01 level. Results A total of 265 surveys were completed (60.9% response rate). A majority of family medicine residency program directors disagreed or strongly disagreed that the recent IOM duty hour recommendations will, in general, result in improved patient safety and resident education. Further, a majority of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the proposed IOM rules would result in residents becoming more compassionate, more effective family physicians. Conclusion A majority of family medicine residency program directors believe that the proposed IOM duty hour recommendations would have a primarily detrimental effect on both patient care and resident education.


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