Benchmarks of support in internal medicine residency training programs

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Residency Training
• Program Administration

Background:

• Internal medicine residency programs require robust financial and staff support for optimal function.
• Understanding the relationship between support structures and training quality is crucial for program improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish benchmarks for financial and staff support in internal medicine residency programs.
• To investigate the correlation between these support benchmarks and program quality indicators, specifically board pass rates.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to member programs of the Association of Program Directors of Internal Medicine.
• Survey data on program support characteristics were correlated with a three-year average of American Board of Internal Medicine certifying examination pass rates.
• Bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed to assess correlations and identify predictors.

Main Results:

• 287 of 394 surveys (73%) were completed, primarily by program directors.
• Key support metrics included faculty full-time equivalents (FTEs), resident-to-staff ratios, and program director time allocation.
• Program board pass rates positively correlated with faculty FTEs and negatively with program director clinical workload and pharmaceutical company financial support.

Conclusions:

• Benchmarks for financial and staff support in internal medicine residency programs have been identified.
• Specific support elements, such as faculty numbers and program director workload, are linked to program quality as measured by board pass rates.
• Program directors can utilize these findings to advocate for enhanced administrative and financial resources.