A national survey of medical risk assessment instruction in general practice residency programs (Part I)

Formal and structured training in medical risk assessment (MRA) has been a requirement in general practice residency (GPR) programs since their inception in 1972. Institutions offering GPR programs frequently differ in the levels and types of available resources necessary to implement this training. Program directors have expressed significant concerns that this training is difficult to provide, especially in the area of physical examination. The literature has not yet established how or if programs have organized their curricula to conform to accreditation standards in MRA established by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. The purpose of this study was to conduct a nationwide survey of all GPR programs to identify program characteristics and resources, didactic and clinical educational methods, and perceived achievement of ADA Standard Fourteen for MRA training. Recommendations for further research are also given. Results will be reported in this paper, the paper following in this issue, and an additional paper to be published in a forthcoming issue.