Required procedural training in family medicine residency: a consensus statement

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Family Medicine Training
• Procedural Competency

Background:

• Lack of standardized procedural training in US family medicine residencies leads to variable physician skills.
• The scope of procedural practice for family physicians is currently ill-defined.
• Need for a defined set of core procedures for family medicine residents.

Framework:

• Developed a consensus-based list of essential procedures for family medicine.
• Categorized procedures into five key areas relevant to family medicine scope of practice.
• Utilized a multi-voting process among 17 family physician educators.

Implementation:

• Convened a working group under the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Group on Hospital and Procedural Training.
• Engaged 17 family physician educators in the development process.
• Defined categories and proposed a list of required procedures.

Implications:

• Establishing national standards for procedural training will clarify the scope of family medicine practice.
• Standardized training benefits both patients through consistent care and physicians through defined competencies.
• Proposed list serves as a foundation for developing a national standard for required procedural training.