ACGME Outcomes Project: selling our expertise

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Graduate Medical Education
• Competency-Based Assessment

Background:

• The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Outcomes Project mandates competency outcome assessment for residency programs.
• Many residency programs lack preparedness for valid competency assessments.
• Family medicine educators possess significant experience in competency-based evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To support residency programs in understanding and implementing ACGME competency domains.
• To assist in developing measurable competencies and evaluation tools for diverse medical specialties.
• To leverage family medicine expertise to aid other programs and generate departmental revenue.

Main Methods:

• A dedicated program was established with substantial funding ($240,000+).
• Family medicine educational unit provided expert support to over 60 residency programs across various specialties.
• Assisted program directors in defining competencies and creating assessment instruments.

Main Results:

• Over 60 residency programs received targeted support for ACGME competency assessment implementation.
• Program directors gained understanding of ACGME competency domains and developed discipline-specific evaluation tools.
• The program successfully transferred expertise and generated income for the family medicine department.

Conclusions:

• Family medicine educational units can effectively guide other specialties in ACGME competency assessment.
• Sharing expertise in competency-based evaluation is a viable model for interdepartmental support and revenue generation.
• Successful implementation of ACGME outcomes requires tailored support and practical evaluation tool development.