title: Effectiveness of a Core-Competency-based Program on Residents' Learning and Experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Care of the Elderly (COE) Diploma Program is a six-to-twelve-month enhanced skills program taken after two years of core residency training in Family Medicine. In 2010, we developed and implemented a core-competency-based COE Diploma program (CC), in lieu of one based on learning objectives (LO). This study assessed the effectiveness of the core-competency-based program on residents' learning and their training experience as compared to residents trained using learning objectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data from the 2007-2013 COE residents were used in the study, with nine and eight residents trained in the LO and CC programs, respectively. Residents' learning was measured using preceptors' evaluations of residents' skills/abilities throughout the program (118 evaluations in total). Residents' rating of training experience was measured using the Graduate's Questionnaire which residents completed after graduation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For residents' learning, overall, there was no significant difference between the two programs. However, when examined as a function of the four CanMEDS roles, there were significant increases in the CC residents' scores for two of the CanMEDS roles: Communicator/Collaborator/Manager and Scholar compared to residents in the LO program. With respect to residents' training experience, seven out of ten program components were rated by the CC residents higher than by the LO residents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of a COE CC program appears to facilitate resident learning and training experience.
authors.affiliation: Division of Care of the Elderly, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: Division of Care of the Elderly, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Triscott
authors.affiliation: Division of Care of the Elderly, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dobbs
authors.affiliation: Division of Care of the Elderly, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Peter George
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Division of Care of the Elderly, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors.forename: Oksana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Babenko
keywords: care of the elderly; core competencies; diploma; enhanced skills; resident