Introducing practice-based learning and improvement ACGME core competencies into a family medicine residency curriculum.
BACKGROUND
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) recommends integrating improvement activities into residency training. A curricular change was designed at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Louisville, to address selected ACGME competencies by incorporating practice-based improvement activities into the routine clinical work of family medicine residents.


METHODS
Teams of residents, faculty, and office staff completed clinical improvement projects at three ambulatory care training sites. Residents were given academic credit for participation in team meetings. After 6 months, residents presented results to faculty, medical students, other residents, and staff from all three training sites. Residents, staff, and faculty were recognized for their participation.


RESULTS
Resident teams demonstrated ACGME competencies in practice-based improvement: Chart audits indicated improvement in clinical projects; quality improvement tools demonstrated analysis of root causes and understanding of the process; plan-do-study-act cycle worksheets demonstrated the change process.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement activities that affect patient care and demonstrate selected ACGME competencies can be successfully incorporated into the daily work of family medicine residents.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Med Center One, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA. mary.coleman@louisville.edu
Mary Thoesen
MT
Coleman
Soraya
S
Nasraty
Michael
M
Ostapchuk
Stephen
S
Wheeler
Stephen
S
Looney
Sandra
S
Rhodes
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards*; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003154:Community Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D007629:Kentucky; D008485:Medical Audit; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014495:Universities