Family medicine
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Rational drug use has increasingly received public policy attention in efforts to maintain quality health care at lower costs. Prescribing habits are developed during residency training, and education regarding rational drug use should be an integral part of the residency curricula. Considering that many medical errors in family medicine are related to incorrect medication management, there is need for a focused education in pharmacotherapy. ⋯ Although physician faculty can be responsible for pharmacotherapy education, a clinical pharmacist is uniquely qualified to provide this service. Overall, family medicine residents need comprehensive instruction in pharmacotherapy to develop rational prescribing habits. A structured pharmacotherapy curriculum may assist in achieving this goal and in meeting the ACGME core competencies for residency training.