Family medicine
-
American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accreditation of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) family medicine residency programs began in the early 1990s to increase the number of Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education (OGME) training positions in family medicine. Despite the rapid expansion of family medicine residencies accredited by both the AOA and the ACGME, little has been published about issues facing these programs. ⋯ A substantial number of osteopathic residents graduating from dual-accredited programs are not seeking board certification by the ABFM, but our study participants felt confident that their programs would maintain dual AOA-ACGME accreditation even if there was a significant increase in US MD applicants.
-
In light of calls for a new model of care, family physicians are endeavoring to create a Patient-centered Medical Home. Yet, structures of care in themselves do not make a home; for the medical house to be a home requires physicians to demonstrate a personal touch that communicates caring to the patient. This essay describes one easily accomplished method by which to integrate personal care in a Patient-centered Medical Home.
-
In July 2010, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) published its proposed duty-hour regulations. We conducted a national online survey to assess current family medicine residents' perceptions of the proposed changes. ⋯ Support for the proposed ACGME duty-hour regulations was mixed among current family medicine residents. Respondents and residency program directors shared similar concerns about some of the recommended changes.
-
Routine preoperative testing is ineffective and costly. We explored reasons for the continued use of unnecessary preoperative tests and approaches to limit such testing. ⋯ Our qualitative findings demonstrate barriers to limiting unnecessary preoperative testing but also suggest interventions that could improve the preoperative testing process. Minimizing unnecessary preoperative tests could decrease cost, maximize quality, and improve the patient experience.