Teaching family and community dimensions of clinical family medicine in Venezuela.
OBJECTIVE
In Venezuela, family medicine is taught and practiced almost exclusively in ambulatory care settings. This article describes the evolution of the educational strategies that emphasize family and community aspects of clinical practice within one residency program in the country of Venezuela.


METHODS
Three distinct phases of development are depicted, beginning with a biomedical and individual-centered approach. Subsequent efforts to involve residents in the community provoked criticism. Resident-faculty dialogue led to modifications and to the success of the current program. Some of the specific educational strategies are: a structured weekly five-hour community afternoon, a 40-hour course titled "Family Dynamics and Counseling," use of the family-oriented home visit to introduce residents to the community aspects of health care, and completion of a community-based and health-related project.


RESULTS
A sample of residents and graduates noted an improved doctor-patient relationship, improved ability to work with groups, and improved skills for incorporating preventive medicine with a community focus into their clinical practice.


CONCLUSIONS
The community involvement is enthusiastically supported by the residents, as it is perceived as useful for clinical practice. The program prepares family physicians to become more responsive to the health needs and the reality of Venezuelan society.
Romero
N
N
Family Medicine Residency Program, Universidad de Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Gruber
F
F
Rincon
M
M
Thompson
R F
RF
D003153:Community Health Services; D003479:Curriculum; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D014687:Venezuela