title: Teaching preventive medicine and health maintenance.
abstract: Preventive health care is an important part of the practice of internal medicine but is poorly taught and practiced in most residencies. A successful curriculum would impart knowledge of the preventive health care guidelines recommended by expert groups; provide opportunities for residents to understand the conceptual basis of preventive care; expose residents to clinical faculty with positive attitudes toward prevention; help residents to learn skills in physical examination, screening tests, and counseling in behavioral modification relevant to prevention; and provide a practice environment in which high-quality preventive health care is possible. All of the skills can be learned as other aspects of medicine are now learned--under the guidance of capable and respected faculty teaching at the bedside, in the clinics, and during ward rounds and conferences.
authors.affiliation: American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D006293:Health Promotion; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States