LAUSR

IntroductionResidency programs today face new challenges in training physicians for the rapidly changing culture of quality and teamwork in medical practice. New curricular initiatives must address accreditation standards for resident education in quality improvement (QI), teamwork, and patient data review. The objective of this study was to evaluate a new curriculum for internal medicine residents which introduced the concept of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH).MethodsWe piloted a rotation for residents to experience PCMH practices in the community. The curriculum utilized experiential, didactic, and reflective sessions training residents in the PCMH tenets, QI, and interdisciplinary teamwork. We evaluated resident knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors using a single retrospective pre-post survey.ResultsPost rotation, residents felt better able to identify PCMH initiatives (47% before vs. 93% after, p < 0.01), PCMH team members in their primary care clinics (30% before vs. 83% after, p < 0.01), and expressed enhanced understanding of PCMH team members’ roles (30% before vs. 87% after, p < 0.01). Residents reported being more likely to utilize PCMH resources (52% before vs. 93% after, p < 0.01) and use patient data to improve their practice (37% before vs. 80% after, p < 0.01) after this intervention.ConclusionThis curricular model increased resident self-reported knowledge and identification of PCMH team members in their own continuity practice. This model, which embeds trainees in an experienced PCMH practice, can be used by residency programs to prepare residents for participation in team-based, quality-driven care in other PCMH sites in which they are likely to practice in their future careers.