Family medicine training: what it takes and what it gives

The needs of a credible residency training program are sufficient patients, a mix of community and academic teachers, cooperative consultants and money. In turn, the program must consider the needs of the community, the needs of the various services on which its residents work, and the needs of the patients. Criticisms often levelled at residency programs relate to their credibility in comparison to "the real world". If the above needs are met, a flexible, well trained physician can be the result.