Related Experiment Videos
A practice-profiling system for residents
Mark Callahan1, Oliver Fein, David Battleman
1Division of Outcomes and Effectiveness Research, Department of Public Health, Weill Medical College of Cornell University (WMC-CU), New York, NY, USA. macallah@med.cornell.edu
Summary
This study developed a practice-profiling system for internal medicine residents, incorporating patient satisfaction and disease management. The program provided valuable feedback, preparing residents for future physician profiling demands.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Services Research
- Quality Improvement
Background:
- Physician performance measurement is common in quality and reimbursement programs.
- Residency training often lacks exposure to these physician evaluation methods.
- This gap leaves new physicians unprepared for practice-based assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a practice-profiling system for internal medicine residents.
- To integrate patient satisfaction, disease management, and faculty evaluations into residency training.
- To prepare residents for the increasing use of physician profiling in healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a three-part system: patient satisfaction surveys, diabetes/hypertension disease-management profiles, and internet-based faculty evaluations.
- Utilized residents' own patients for disease-management profiling.
- Conducted annual profiling for 120 residents, with feedback sessions.
Main Results:
- Residents rated the practice-profiling program highly.
- The system was found to be instructive and provided effective feedback.
- The program successfully prepared residents for physician profiling.
Conclusions:
- Integrating practice profiling into residency training is beneficial.
- Early exposure to profiling enhances physician preparedness for practice.
- This model addresses a critical gap in medical education for quality assessment.