bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internal Reviews Benefit Programs of the Review Team Members and the Program Under Review
Authors: Andolsek Kathryn M. , Nagler Alisa , Dodd Leslie , Weinerth John L.
Published: July 2013

Background

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) mandates that sponsoring institutions conduct internal reviews. In 1998, the ACGME Institutional Review Committee gave Duke University Hospital a citation for an inadequate internal review (IR) process. Since then, we have instituted several iterative changes. We describe the evolution of Duke University Hospital's current internal review process.

Intervention

We implemented a new review team composition, template report, use of the program information form, and centralization of documentation to improve our internal review process. In 2007, a more formal evaluation of the outcome and impact of these changes was instituted. This included a yearly survey of all participants and review team members, a review of programs, and a tracking process for the decisions of our Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) on the status of reviewed programs.

Results

Participants from both the program under review and the review team evaluated the process favorably. Review teams reported they learned from the best practices of the program being reviewed. Program directors from the reviewed programs reported the process improved their documentation. Both groups reported the process better prepared them for their next ACGME Review Committee site visit. The GMEC has recommended “probationary sponsorship” for fewer programs since the IR process changes have been implemented. The IR process was recognized as a best practice in Duke University Hospital's 2004 ACGME institutional review.

Conclusion

We believe our IR process, review-team composition, template report, program information form, and centralized documentation now fully meets accreditation standards. Participants are reasonably satisfied and report value from the process. More programs are judged to be within substantial compliance by the GMEC.
An International Health Track Is Associated With Care for Underserved US Populations in Subsequent Clinical Practice
Authors: Bazemore Andrew W. , Goldenhar Linda M. , Lindsell Christopher J. , Diller Philip M. , Huntington Mark K.
Published: July 2013

Background

Recent efforts to increase insurance coverage have revealed limits in primary care capacity, in part due to physician maldistribution. Of interest to policymakers and educators is the impact of nontraditional curricula, including global health education, on eventual physician location. We sought to measure the association between graduate medical education in global health and subsequent care of the underserved in the United States.

Methods

In 2005, we surveyed 137 graduates of a family medicine program with one of the country's longest-running international health tracks (IHTs). We compared graduates of the IHT, those in the traditional residency track, and graduates prior to IHT implementation, assessing the anticipated and actual involvement in care of rural and other underserved populations, physician characteristics, and practice location and practice population.

Results

IHT participants were more likely to practice abroad and care for the underserved in the United States in the first 5 years following residency than non-IHT peers. Their current practices were more likely to be in underserved settings and they had higher percentages of uninsured and non–English-speaking patients. Comparisons between pre-IHT and post-IHT inception showed that in the first 5 years following residency, post-IHT graduates were more likely to care for the underserved and practice in rural areas and were likely to offer volunteer community health care services but were not more likely to practice abroad or to be in an academic practice.

Conclusions

Presence of an IHT was associated with increased care of underserved populations. After the institution of an IHT track, this association was seen among IHT participants and nonparticipants and was not associated with increased long-term service abroad.
The Neighborhood Health Exchange: Developing a Community Partnership in Residency
Authors: Tartaglia Kimberly M. , Press Valerie G. , Freed Benjamin H. , Baker Timothy , Tang Joyce W. , Cohen Julie C. , Laiteerapong Neda , Alvarez Kimberly , Schwartz Mindy , Arora Vineet M.
Published: July 2013

Background

The current system of residency training focuses on the hospital setting, and resident exposure to the surrounding community is often limited. However, community interaction can play an important role in ambulatory training and in learning systems-based practice, a residency core competency. The goal of the Neighborhood Health Exchange was to develop a community partnership to provide internal medicine residents with an opportunity to interface with community members through a mutually beneficial educational experience.

Methods

Internal medicine residents received training during their ambulatory block and participated in a voluntary field practicum designed to engage community members in discussions about their health. Community members participated in education sessions led by resident volunteers.

Results

Resident volunteers completed a survey on their experiences. All residents stated that the opportunity to lead an exchange was very useful to their overall residency training. Eight exchanges were held with a total of 61 community participants, who completed a 3-question survey following the session. This survey asked about the level of material, the helpfulness of the exchanges, and opportunities for improvement. We received 46 completed surveys from community members: 91% stated that the material was presented “at the right level” and 93% stated that the presentations were somewhat or very helpful. Eighty percent gave positive and encouraging comments about the exchange.

Conclusion

Effective community partnerships involve assessing needs of the stakeholders, anticipating leadership turnover, and adapting the Neighborhood Health Exchange model to different groups. Community outreach can also enhance internal medicine ambulatory training experience, provide residents with patient counseling opportunities, and offer a novel method to enhance resident understanding of systems-based practice, especially within the larger community in which their patients live.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement for Institutions: A Case Report
Authors: Kirk Susan E. , Howell R. Edward
Published: July 2013

Background

In 2006, the University of Virginia became one of the first academic medical institutions to be placed on probation, after the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Institutional Review Committee implemented a new classification system for institutional reviews.

Intervention

After University of Virginia reviewed its practices and implemented needed changes, the institution was able to have probation removed and full accreditation restored. Whereas graduate medical education committees and designated institutional officials are required to conduct internal reviews of each ACGME–accredited program midway through its accreditation cycle, no similar requirement exists for institutions.

Learning

As we designed corrective measures at the University of Virginia, we realized that regularly scheduled audits of the entire institution would have prevented the accumulation of deficiencies. We suggest that institutional internal reviews be implemented to ensure that the ACGME institutional requirements for graduate medical education are met. This process represents practice-based learning and improvement at the institutional level and may prevent other institutions from receiving unfavorable accreditation decisions.
The Morbidity and Mortality Conference: A Unique Opportunity for Teaching Empathic Communication
Authors: Prose Neil S. , Brown Haywood , Murphy Gwendolyn , Nieves Angel
Published: July 2013

Background

The morbidity and mortality conference is an educational tradition in American medicine that dates to the early 20th century. Traditionally, this conference has focused entirely on issues of diagnosis and treatment, in the context of a disappointing clinical outcome.

Intervention

We report on a new method for teaching empathic doctor-patient communication skills at an obstetrics and gynecology morbidity and mortality conference. For each case presented, we identified the communications challenges and allowed faculty and residents to “practice” the discussion they would have with the patient and the patient's family in that situation. In some sessions, actors assumed the role of the patient. Following the discussion of the case, we offered didactic presentations on how we communicate with patients and their families. These focused on techniques for being patient centered and included the use of body language, open-ended questioning, reflective listening before offering to explain, and the importance of naming and validating emotions.

Results

The majority of participants felt the sessions to be helpful, and after one month many were able to identify a positive change in their interactions with patients.

Conclusions

We believe that this unique teaching format allows learners to refine their communication skills in the context of situations that they know to be both realistic and important.
Duty Hour Restrictions, Ambulatory Experience, and Surgical Procedural Volume in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Kane Sarah M. , Siddiqui Nazema Y. , Bailit Jennifer , Blanchard May Hsieh
Published: July 2013

Background

Prior studies of resident experience in gynecology looked only at the year before and after adoption of ACGME duty hour standards. This study sought to determine whether procedure volume differed after completion of a 4-year residency training program, before and after work hour reform.

Method

Inpatient and outpatient procedures performed by MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic program residents from 1998 to 2006 were obtained from Annual Reports of Institutional and Resident Experience. Four-year experience before and after duty hour restrictions were compared: hours worked were collected from resident schedules, ambulatory hours and procedures were compared directly, surgical procedures and deliveries were compared using a 2-tailed t test. Data were also obtained for institutional volume changes, and a corrected value, based on the rates of resident cases per available cases, was analyzed.

Results

Ambulatory hours worked per resident decreased after implementing work hour reform from 674 to 366 hours. The types of ambulatory and surgical procedures performed varied over time. Overall, basic surgical and obstetrical volume per resident did not change before and after work hour reform (mean before reform, 723 ± 117, mean after reform, 781 ± 200, P  =  .58 for gynecologic procedures; mean before reform, 611 ± 107, mean after reform, 535 ± 73, P  =  .18 for basic obstetrics and vaginal and cesarean deliveries). Institutional volume did not change significantly, although the percentage of the institutions' cases performed by residents did decrease for some procedures.

Conclusion

The ACGME duty hour restrictions do not limit the overall ambulatory or surgical procedural volume in an obstetrics and gynecology residency-training period.
Emotional Intelligence and the ACGME Competencies
Authors: Webb Anita R. , Young Richard A. , Baumer Joane G.
Published: July 2013

Background

Residency programs desire assessment tools for teaching and measuring resident attainment of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies, including interpersonal and communication skills.

Objective

We sought to evaluate the use of emotional intelligence (EI) assessment and training tools in assessing and enhancing interpersonal and communication skills.

Methods

We used a quasi-experimental design, with an intervention and control group composed of 1 class each of family medicine residents. The intervention was EI coaching. The assessment used the Emotional and Social Competence Inventory, a 360-degree EI survey consisting of self and other (colleague) ratings for 12 EI competencies.

Results

There were 21 participants in each of the 3 assessments (test, posttest, and control). Our EI coaching intervention had very limited participation due to a lack of protected time for EI coaching and residents' competing obligations. Return rates for self surveys were 86% to 91% and 66% to 68% for others. On all 3 trials, ratings by others were significantly higher than self ratings for every competence (range, P < .001–.045). None of the self ratings by the intervention group increased significantly for any of the competencies. None of the intervention group self ratings increased significantly on posttesting, whereas ratings by others increased significantly for coach/mentor (P < .001). The teamwork rating decreased significantly on both self and other ratings (P < .001). Achievement orientation was the highest intervention group posttest rating, and teamwork was the lowest.

Conclusions

EI is a necessary skill in today's health care environment, and our study found that a tool from another sector was useful in assessing resident EI skills. Because our EI coaching intervention was unsuccessful, the effects of coaching on interpersonal and communication skills could not be assessed.
Reflective Practice and Competencies in Global Health Training: Lesson for Serving Diverse Patient Populations
Authors: Castillo Jonathan , Goldenhar Linda M. , Baker Raymond C. , Kahn Robert S. , DeWitt Thomas G.
Published: July 2013

Background

Resident interest in global health care training is growing and has been shown to have a positive effect on participants' clinical skills and cultural competency. In addition, it is associated with career choices in primary care, public health, and in the service of underserved populations. The purpose of this study was to explore, through reflective practice, how participation in a formal global health training program influences pediatric residents' perspectives when caring for diverse patient populations.

Methods

Thirteen pediatric and combined-program residents enrolled in a year-long Global Health Scholars Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center during the 2007–2008 academic year. Educational interventions included a written curriculum, a lecture series, one-on-one mentoring sessions, an experience abroad, and reflective journaling assignments. The American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene global health competencies were used as an a priori coding framework to qualitatively analyze the reflective journal entries of the residents.

Results

Four themes emerged from the coded journal passages from all 13 residents: (1) the burden of global disease, as a heightened awareness of the diseases that affect humans worldwide; (2) immigrant/underserved health, reflected in a desire to apply lessons learned abroad at home to provide more culturally effective care to immigrant patients in the United States; (3) parenting, or observed parental, longing to assure that their children receive health care; and (4) humanitarianism, expressed as the desire to volunteer in future humanitarian health efforts in the United States and abroad.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that participating in a global health training program helped residents begin to acquire competence in the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene competency domains. Such training also may strengthen residents' acquisition of professional skills, including the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies.
Rubric Evaluation of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows
Authors: Hsu Deborah C. , Macias Charles G.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To develop and validate a rubric assessment instrument for use by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) faculty to evaluate PEM fellows and for fellows to use to self-assess.

Methods

This is a prospective study at a PEM fellowship program. The assessment instrument was developed through a multistep process: (1) development of rubric format items, scaled on the modified Dreyfus model proficiency levels, corresponding to the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies; (2) determination of content and construct validity of the items through structured input and item refinement by subject matter experts and focus group review; (3) collection of data using a 61-item form; (4) evaluation of psychometrics; (5) selection of items for use in the final instrument.

Results

A total of 261 evaluations were collected from 2006 to 2007; exploratory factor analysis yielded 5 factors with Eigenvalues >1.0; each contained ≥4 items, with factor loadings >0.4 corresponding with the following competencies: (1) medical knowledge and practice-based learning and improvement, (2) patient care and systems-based practice, (3) interpersonal skills, (4) communication skills, and (5) professionalism. Cronbach α for the final 53-item instrument was 0.989. There was also significant responsiveness of the tool to the year of training.

Conclusion

A substantively and statistically validated rubric evaluation of PEM fellows is a reliable tool for formative and summative evaluation.
Feasibility of Implementing a Standardized Multisource Feedback Program in the Graduate Medical Education Environment
Authors: Richmond Margaret , Canavan Colleen , Holtman Matthew C , Katsufrakis Peter J
Published: July 2013

Background

Multisource feedback (MSF) is emerging as a central assessment method for several medical education competencies. Planning and resource requirements for a successful implementation can be significant. Our goal is to examine barriers and challenges to a successful multisite MSF implementation, and identify the benefits of MSF as perceived by participants.

Methods

We analyzed the 2007–2008 field trial implementation of the Assessment of Professional Behaviors, an MSF program of the National Board of Medical Examiners, conducted with 8 residency and fellowship programs at 4 institutions. We use a multimethod analysis that draws on quantitative process indicators and qualitative participant experience data. Process indicators include program attrition, completion of implementation milestones, number of participants at each site, number of MSF surveys assigned and completed, and adherence to an experimental rater training protocol. Qualitative data include communications with each program and semistructured interviews conducted with key field trial staff to elicit their experiences with implementation.

Results

Several implementation challenges are identified, including communication gaps and difficulty scheduling implementation and training workshops. Participant interviews indicate several program changes that should enhance feasibility, including increasing communication and streamlining the training process.

Conclusions

Multisource feedback is a complex educational intervention that has the potential to provide users with a better understanding of performance expectations in the graduate medical education environment. Standardization of the implementation processes and tools should reduce the burden on program administrators and participants. Further study is warranted to broaden our understanding of the resource requirements for a successful MSF implementation and to show how outcomes change as MSF gains broader acceptance.
Procedural Readiness of Pediatric Interns: Defining Novice Performance Through Simulation
Authors: Pruden Carla M. , Kerrey Benjamin T. , Mittiga Matthew , del Rey Javier Gonzalez
Published: July 2013

Background

Pediatric lumbar puncture (LP) is a common invasive procedure performed by physicians in training. The Association of American Medical Colleges and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recognize simulation as a tool for deliberate practice and standardized assessment of procedural performance.

Objective

We sought to perform a detailed review of simulated LP performance to elucidate reasons for pediatric residents' reported 26% failure rate.

Methods

Participants were enrolled in a single 30-minute session between July 2008 and January 2009. Data collected included former experience and training via questionnaire and video review of intern performance of a simulated LP on an infant model. Intern performance was assessed against a list of 10 procedural elements. Acquisition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the number of elements performed on the first 2 attempts, and specific types of training/experience were analyzed for associations.

Results

All 32 enrolled interns endorsed receiving some previous LP training. Training on a model was infrequent (38%). Interns reported performing a median of 2 LPs prior to enrollment (interquartile range, 2–4). Seven of 31 interns (22%) had yet to perform a live LP. Eleven of 32 interns (34%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18%–51%) acquired CSF during the first 2 simulated attempts. No specific type of prior training or experience was statistically associated with either the number of procedural elements or successful CSF acquisition (all P > .05). Interns performed a median of 7 of 10 procedural elements (interquartile range, 5.5–8). Early stylet removal was never performed. Complete removal of the stylet with all CSF checks was significantly associated with CSF acquisition (odds ratio, 9; 95% CI 0.98, 84.2). Avoidance of a spinous process upon skin entry was associated with a trend toward increased CSF acquisition (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% CI 0.76, 16.1).

Conclusion

Despite performing many common procedural elements, pediatric interns generally lack the ability to successfully acquire CSF during a simulated infant LP. Expert performance of an infant LP likely requires complete stylet removal with each check for CSF and early spinous process avoidance. A simulated infant LP allowed assessment of intern procedural performance as well as description of elements critical to successful CSF acquisition.
Morbidity and Mortality Conference in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Tool for Addressing the 6 Core Competencies
Authors: Bevis Kerri S , Straughn J. Michael , Kendrick James E , Walsh-Covarrubias Julie , Kilgore Larry C
Published: July 2013

Background

Residency program directors are challenged to effectively teach and assess the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) 6 competencies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the morbidity and mortality (M&M) conference as a cost-effective and efficient approach for addressing the ACGME competencies through evaluation of resident participation and case diversity.

Methods

In our modified M&M conference, senior residents submit a weekly list of cases to the conference proctors. The resident presents the case, including a critique of management, using the medical literature. The resident submits a case summary evaluating patient care practices, integrating scientific evidence, and evaluating systemic barriers to care. Completed case summaries are distributed and archived for reference.

Results

During a 3-year period, 30 residents presented 196 cases. Of these, 37 (19%) directly related to systems-based practice, 20 (10%) involved problems with inadequate communication, and 11 (6%) included issues of professionalism or ethics. All cases involved practice-based learning and medical knowledge.

Conclusions

The M&M conference addresses the core competencies through resident participation as well as directed analysis of diverse cases.
Expanding Educators' Medical Curriculum Tool Chest: Minute Papers as an Underutilized Option for Obtaining Immediate Feedback
Authors: Singh Mamta K. , Lawrence Renée , Headrick Linda
Published: July 2013

Background

One barrier to systematically assessing feedback about the content or format of teaching conferences in graduate medical education is the time needed to collect and analyze feedback data. Minute papers, brief surveys designed to obtain feedback in a concise format, have the potential to fill this gap.

Objectives

To assess whether minute papers were a feasible tool for obtaining immediate feedback on resident conferences and to use minute papers, with one added question, to assess the usefulness of changing the format of resident morning report.

Methods

Minute papers were administered at the end of internal medicine morning report conferences before and after changing the traditional combined format (all residents) to a separate format (postgraduate year [PGY] 1 met separately from PGY-2 and PGY-3 trainees). We collected information during 3 months during 2 traditional sessions and 8 sessions in the format that separated PGY-1s (3 for PGY-1 and 5 for PGY-2 and PGY-3). Participants responded to an item rating the usefulness of the session and 3 open-ended questions.

Results

Trainees completed the forms in 2 to 3 minutes. Trainee assessment of the usefulness of internal medicine morning report appeared to increase after the change (4.09 versus 4.45 for PGY-1; 3.75 versus 4.38 for PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents).

Conclusions

Minute papers are practical instruments that provide manageable amounts of immediate feedback. In addition, minute papers can be adjusted slightly to help assess the impact of change. In that way, faculty can create an iterative process of feedback that models small cycles of change, a key quality improvement concept.
A Survey of Resident Opinions on Peer Evaluation in a Large Internal Medicine Residency Program
Authors: Dupras Denise M. , Edson Randall S.
Published: July 2013

Background

Starting in the 1960s, studies have suggested that peer evaluation could provide unique insights into the performance of residents in training. However, reports of resident resistance to peer evaluation because of confidentiality issues and the possible impact on their working relationships raised concerns about the acceptability and utility of peer evaluation in graduate medical education. The literature suggests that peers are able to reliably assess communication, interpersonal skills, and professionalism and provide input that may differ from faculty evaluations. This study assessed the attitudes of internal medicine residents 1 year after the implementation of a peer-evaluation system.

Methods

During the 2005–2006 academic year, we conducted an anonymous survey of the 168 residents in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Contingency table analysis was used to compare the response patterns of the groups.

Results

The response rate was 61% (103/168 residents) and it did not differ by year of training. Most residents (74/103; 72%) felt that peers could provide valuable feedback. Eighty percent of residents (82/103) felt the feedback was important for their professional development and 84% (86/102) agreed that peers observe behaviors not seen by attending faculty.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that internal medicine residents provide unique assessment of their peers and provide feedback they consider important for their professional development. More importantly, the results support the role of peer evaluation in the assessment of the competencies of professionalism and interpersonal and communication skills.
Tracking Residents Through Multiple Residency Programs: A Different Approach for Measuring Residents' Rates of Continuing Graduate Medical Education in ACGME-Accredited Programs
Authors: Byrne Lauren M. , Holt Kathleen D. , Richter Thomas , Miller Rebecca S. , Nasca Thomas J.
Published: July 2013

Background

Increased focus on the number and type of physicians delivering health care in the United States necessitates a better understanding of changes in graduate medical education (GME). Data collected by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) allow longitudinal tracking of residents, revealing the number and type of residents who continue GME following completion of an initial residency. We examined trends in the percent of graduates pursuing additional clinical education following graduation from ACGME-accredited pipeline specialty programs (specialties leading to initial board certification).

Methods

Using data collected annually by the ACGME, we tracked residents graduating from ACGME-accredited pipeline specialty programs between academic year (AY) 2002–2003 and AY 2006–2007 and those pursuing additional ACGME-accredited training within 2 years. We examined changes in the number of graduates and the percent of graduates continuing GME by specialty, by type of medical school, and overall.

Results

The number of pipeline specialty graduates increased by 1171 (5.3%) between AY 2002–2003 and AY 2006–2007. During the same period, the number of graduates pursuing additional GME increased by 1059 (16.7%). The overall rate of continuing GME increased each year, from 28.5% (6331/22229) in AY 2002–2003 to 31.6% (7390/23400) in AY 2006–2007. Rates differed by specialty and for US medical school graduates (26.4% [3896/14752] in AY 2002–2003 to 31.6% [4718/14941] in AY 2006–2007) versus international medical graduates (35.2% [2118/6023] to 33.8% [2246/6647]).

Conclusion

The number of graduates and the rate of continuing GME increased from AY 2002–2003 to AY 2006–2007. Our findings show a recent increase in the rate of continued training for US medical school graduates compared to international medical graduates. Our results differ from previously reported rates of subspecialization in the literature. Tracking individual residents through residency and fellowship programs provides a better understanding of residents' pathways to practice.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Residency Experience: Requirements Versus Reality
Authors: Mittiga Matthew R. , Schwartz Hamilton P. , Iyer Srikant B. , Gonzalez del Rey Javier A.
Published: July 2013

Background

An important expectation of pediatric education is assessing, resuscitating, and stabilizing ill or injured children.

Objective

To determine whether the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) minimum time requirement for emergency and acute illness experience is adequate to achieve the educational objectives set forth for categorical pediatric residents. We hypothesized that despite residents working five 1-month block rotations in a high-volume (95 000 pediatric visits per year) pediatric emergency department (ED), the comprehensive experience outlined by the ACGME would not be satisfied through clinical exposure.

Study Design

This was a retrospective, descriptive study comparing actual resident experience to the standard defined by the ACGME. The emergency medicine experience of 35 categorical pediatric residents was tracked including number of patients evaluated during training and patient discharge diagnoses. The achievability of the ACGME requirement was determined by reporting the percentage of pediatric residents that cared for at least 1 patient from each of the ACGME-required disorder categories.

Results

A total of 11.4% of residents met the ACGME requirement for emergency and acute illness experience in the ED. The median number of patients evaluated by residents during training in the ED was 941. Disorder categories evaluated least frequently included shock, sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis, coma/altered mental status, cardiopulmonary arrest, burns, and bowel obstruction.

Conclusion

Pediatric residents working in one of the busiest pediatric EDs in the country and working 1 month more than the ACGME-recommended minimum did not achieve the ACGME requirement for emergency and acute illness experience through direct patient care.
Developing Future Faculty: A Program Targeting Internal Medicine Fellows' Teaching Skills
Authors: Rosenbaum Marcy E , Rowat Jane A , Ferguson Kristi J , Spengler Erin , Somai Poonam , Carroll James L , Vogelgesang Scott A
Published: July 2013

Introduction

The increased demand for clinician-educators in academic medicine necessitates additional training in educational skills to prepare potential candidates for these positions. Although many teaching skills training programs for residents exist, there is a lack of reports in the literature evaluating similar programs during fellowship training.

Aim

To describe the implementation and evaluation of a unique program aimed at enhancing educational knowledge and teaching skills for subspecialty medicine fellows and chief residents.

Setting

Fellows as Clinician-Educators (FACE) program is a 1-year program open to fellows (and chief residents) in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa.

Program Description

The course involves interactive monthly meetings held throughout the academic year and has provided training to 48 participants across 11 different subspecialty fellowships between 2004 and 2009.

Program Evaluation

FACE participants completed a 3-station Objective Structured Teaching Examination using standardized learners, which assessed participants' skills in giving feedback, outpatient precepting, and giving a mini-lecture. Based on reviews of station performance by 2 independent raters, fellows demonstrated statistically significant improvement on overall scores for 2 of the 3 cases. Participants self-assessed their knowledge and teaching skills prior to starting and after completing the program. Analyses of participants' retrospective preassessments and postassessments showed improved perceptions of competence after training.

Conclusion

The FACE program is a well-received intervention that objectively demonstrates improvement in participants' teaching skills. It offers a model approach to meeting important training skills needs of subspecialty medicine fellows and chief residents in a resource-effective manner.
Improving Care in a Resident Practice for Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Salem James K. , Jones Ronald R. , Sweet David B. , Hasan Sana , Torregosa-Arcay Hope , Clough Lynn
Published: July 2013

Background

Curricular redesign and introduction of the Chronic Care Model in our residency clinic during 2005–2007 achieved limited success in glycemic (glycated hemoglobin level [A1c]), lipid (low-density lipoprotein fraction [LDL]), and blood pressure (BP) control for patients with diabetes.

Intervention

Beginning in January 2008, ancillary staff performed previsit, protocol-driven reviews of medical records of patients with diabetes to identify those not at A1c, LDL, and BP goals; inserted electronic prompts into the records regarding deficiencies; and obtained samples for A1c or lipid panel when needed. Faculty feedback regarding resident-specific panel reviews was added in May 2008, and point-of-care A1c testing was implemented in February 2009.

Methods

We conducted a 2-year retrospective study of all patients at our facility with diabetes mellitus, who had at least 1 visit during January to June 2008 (baseline) and 1 visit during July to December 2009 (follow-up). Measures included the most current A1c, LDL, and BP results. Paired outcome results were compared using the McNemar χ2 test.

Results

A total of 522 patients with diabetes mellitus were seen during the baseline and follow-up periods, and 456 patients (87.4%) had paired A1c results, with A1c < 7.0% for 138 of 456 patients (30.3%) at baseline and 166 of 456 patients (36.4%) at follow-up (P  =  .011). For LDL, 460 patients (88.1%) had paired results, with LDL < 100 mg/dL for 225 of 460 patients (48.9%) at baseline and 262 of 460 patients (57.0%) at follow-up (P  =  .004). A total of 513 patients (98.3%) had paired BP results in which the BP < 130/80 mm Hg for 124 of 513 patients (24.2%) at baseline and for 188 of 513 patients (36.6%) at follow-up (P < .001). There were 421 patients (80.7%) with paired results for all 3 measures, with 17 of 421 patients (4.0%) at goal at baseline and 41 of 421 patients (9.7%) at goal at follow-up (P  =  .001).

Conclusion

The interventions resulted in statistically significant improvements in the proportion of patients with diabetes who attained goal for A1c, LDL, and BP levels. Our redesign elements may be useful in enhancing resident education and in improving patient care.
Medico-Legal Education: A Pilot Curriculum to Fill the Identified Knowledge Gap
Authors: Evans Adele , Refrow-Rutala Donna
Published: July 2013

Purpose

We sought to determine if a medico-legal educational curriculum designed to increase physicians' familiarity with the legal system in a nonthreatening environment—a didactic and interactive educational seminar—would positively influence learners' knowledge base and self-awareness.

Methods

Because neither the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education nor its Residency Review Committees specifically addresses medico-legal liability education, we designed a 2-day intensive medico-legal educational curriculum and piloted it in 2007 and 2008 at a large academic tertiary-referral medical center. Postcurriculum evaluations and precurriculum and postcurriculum testing were used to identify areas of common and/or persisting knowledge deficit.

Results

A total of 50 graduating residents, fellows, and community practitioners participated in the course. Common areas of knowledge deficit were “privilege,” “discovery,” statutes of limitations, and basic legal procedure. Discordance in physician interpretation of patient perspective and misunderstanding among physicians of the impact of the legal suit were evident.

Conclusions

Concentrated legal education at selected times during medical training may support physicians' motivations to improve the assurance of quality and continuity of care. We continue to revise the curriculum to address issues of lecturer style, lecture content, and overall attitudinal values related to clinical practice, legal education, long-term impact on practice patterns, job satisfaction and its effect on attention to quality and continuity-of-care issues, and health care provider attitudes about the provider's role within the legal system and the community. We plan to conduct follow-up of participants to assess retention and subsequent use of this knowledge.
Leadership Development for Program Directors
Authors: Bing-You Robert , Wiltshire Whitney , Skolfield Jenny
Published: July 2013

Background

Residency program directors have increasingly challenging roles, but they may not be receiving adequate leadership development.

Objective

To assess and facilitate program directors' leadership self-awareness and development at a workshop retreat.

Methods

At our annual program director retreat, program directors and associate program directors from a variety of specialties completed the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI), which evaluates an individual's behavior in conflict situations, and the Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership (HBSL) model, which measures individuals' preferred leadership style in working with followers. Participants received their results during the retreat and discussed their leadership style results in the context of conflict situations experienced in the past. An online survey was distributed 3 weeks after the retreat to assess participant satisfaction and to determine whether participants would make changes to their leadership styles.

Results

Seventeen program directors attended the retreat and completed the tools. On the TKI, 47% preferred the Compromising mode for handling conflict, while 18% preferred either the Avoiding or Accommodating modes. On the HBSL, 71% of program directors preferred a Coaching leadership style. Ninety-one percent of postretreat-survey respondents found the leadership tools helpful and also thought they had a better awareness of their conflict mode and leadership style preferences. Eighty-two percent committed to a change in their leadership behaviors in the 6 months following the retreat.

Conclusions

Leadership tools may be beneficial for promoting the professional development of program directors. The TKI and HBSL can be used within a local retreat or workshop as we describe to facilitate positive leadership-behavior changes.
Behavioral Evaluations of Anesthesiology Residents and Overuse of the First-Person Pronoun in Personal Statements
Authors: Badal John J. , Jacobsen Wayne K. , Holt Bradley W.
Published: July 2013

Background

The admissions process for residency encompasses numerous objective and subjective measurements by which an applicant is evaluated. The personal interview and clinical evaluations are widely considered the most reliable method to identify unwanted behavioral characteristics. However, the role of a personal statement is less clear. There are reports of residency programs attempting to identify selfish or egocentric behavioral traits by counting the frequency of the first-person pronoun “I” in personal statements. The purpose of this study is to define the relationship between anesthesiology resident evaluations and the frequency of the first-person pronoun within their personal statements.

Methods

Resident evaluations of 48 anesthesiology graduates were collected for 5 competencies. The iScore was calculated by determining the frequency of “I” in relation to total word count.

Results

Correlation analysis between iScore and the 5 evaluation categories showed no significant relationship.

Conclusion

When examining the relationship between resident evaluations and iScore, the lack of significant correlation makes it difficult to predict resident performance based on “I” counts. This may be because the personal statement is a thoughtfully developed document that undergoes extensive editing, which may suppress or minimize writing styles that suggest the presence of unwanted behavioral traits. Further examination of personal statements with a larger sample size and data from other institutions and specialties are needed.
An Interdisciplinary Infection Control Education Intervention: Necessary But Not Sufficient
Authors: P. Wagner Dianne , J. Parker Carol , E. Mavis Brian , Smith Mary Kay
Published: July 2013

Background

Patient care environments are struggling to eradicate health care associated infections and studies of undergraduate and graduate medical trainees have revealed significant gaps in their performance of proper hand hygiene and aseptic technique (HH/AT), suggesting the need for improved curriculum. High-reliability industries have provided a model using standardization of approach and interprofessional training, and both are particularly suited to the teaching and assessment of these life-saving skills. The Infection Control Education project is a grant-funded, multi-institutional pilot launched to improve the teaching and assessment of HH/AT in our community.

Methods

An interprofessional team of leaders and educators from 2 local hospital systems and 3 health colleges developed a 9-component “ICE PACK,” which includes a unanimously endorsed, detailed HH/AT checklist. This teaching and assessment module was delivered to nursing/medical student and postgraduate year 1 resident/nurse intern pairs. Retention of checklist skills was retested 2 to 5 months after participation in the module.

Results

Learner pairs participating in the 2-hour module mastered the HH/AT checklist and rated the experience highly. Retention after several weeks was disappointingly low in 2 of the 3 participant groups.

Conclusions

A community-wide HH/AT checklist was developed and an ICE PACK of materials created that is portable, standardizes the teaching and assessment of HH/AT skills, and is designed for interprofessional pairs of learners. Retention of checklist steps was disappointing in most of participant groups. Multiple, simultaneous strategies for improving compliance with infection control mandates appear necessary.
Numerical Versus Pass/Fail Scoring on the USMLE: What Do Medical Students and Residents Want and Why?
Authors: Lewis Catherine E , Hiatt Jonathan R , Wilkerson LuAnn , Tillou Areti , Parker Neil H , Hines O. Joe
Published: July 2013

Background

Although the primary purpose of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is assessment for licensure, USMLE scores often are used for other purposes, more prominently resident selection. The Committee to Evaluate the USMLE Program currently is considering a number of substantial changes, including conversion to pass/fail scoring.

Methods

A survey was administered to third-year (MS3) and fourth-year (MS4) medical students and residents at a single institution to evaluate opinions regarding pass/fail scoring on the USMLE.

Results

Response rate was 59% (n  =  732 of 1249). Reported score distribution for Step 1 was 30% for <220, 38% for 220–240, and 32% for >240, with no difference between MS3s, MS4s, and residents (P  =  .89). Score distribution for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) was similar. Only 26% of respondents agreed that Step 1 should be pass/fail; 38% agreed with pass/fail scoring for Step 2 CK. Numerical scoring on Step 1 was preferred by respondents who: (1) agreed that the examination gave an accurate estimate of knowledge (odds ratio [OR], 4.23; confidence interval [CI], 2.41–7.43; P < .001); (2) scored >240 (OR, 4.0; CI, 1.92–8.33; P < .001); and (3) felt that acquisition of knowledge might decrease if the examination were pass/fail (OR, 10.15; CI, 3.32–31.02; P < .001). For Step 2 CK, numerical scoring was preferred by respondents who: (1) believed they gained a large amount of knowledge preparing for the examination (OR, 2.63; CI, 1.52–4.76; P < .001); (2) scored >240 (OR, 4.76; CI, 2.86–8.33; P < .001); (3) felt that the amount of knowledge acquired might decrease if it were pass/fail (OR, 28.16; CI, 7.31–108.43; P < .001); and (4) believed their Step 2 CK score was important when applying for residency (OR, 2.37; CI, 1.47–3.84; P < .001).

Conclusions

Students and residents prefer the ongoing use of numerical scoring because they believe that scores are important in residency selection, that residency applicants are advantaged by examination scores, and that scores provide an important impetus to review and solidify medical knowledge.
What Residents Know About Health Care Reform and What We Should Teach Them
Authors: Roberts John L. , Ostapchuk Michael , Miller Karen Hughes , Ziegler Craig H.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

We surveyed residents and fellows at the University of Louisville School of Medicine (N  =  600) to (1) explore their perceptions and knowledge of issues related to health care business and health care reforms, and (2) seek their input on what instructional content concerning health care business and health care reform they would like to receive and what instruction venue they would prefer. We will use the findings to make decisions about curriculum content and delivery.

Methods

All residents were invited to complete a 4-part, web-based survey that included questions on demographics, attitudes, and perceptions; a baseline-knowledge quiz about health care costs; and 2 open-ended questions about what they wanted to learn and how they preferred to be taught.

Results

The survey response rate was 24%. Residents' agreement was stronger for statements relating to the role of physicians as “gatekeepers,” patient-centered care, and the value of learning to work as a team than it was for statements about the benefits of government intervention in health care. International medical graduates, when compared with US medical graduates, had statistically significant differences in perceptions (P ≤ .004) on 3 questions related to government impact on health care. There was a slight decrease in overall knowledge about health care cost issues by residents in later postgraduate years.

Conclusion

Residents are aware of gaps in their knowledge on business aspects of health care and health care reform. Their narrative responses identified coding and billing, legal issues, and comparative health systems as topics of interest, and the best venues for teaching included grand rounds and noon conferences. Residents indicated a preference for brief, highly focused, interactive sessions with knowledgeable guest speakers.