Implementing radical curriculum change in a family medicine residency: the majors and masteries program

There have been dramatic changes in the specialty of family medicine and the American health care system in the more than 40 years since the formation of the specialty. As a result, there is urgent need for experimentation and innovation in residency training to better prepare family physicians.

Waukesha Family Medicine Residency used a strategic planning process to identify four guiding concepts for a new model of residency education: intentional diversification; options for advanced training in a fourth year of residency; longitudinal, competency-based training; and strong fundamental background in family medicine skills. These concepts guided radical restructuring of the curriculum.

The new Majors and Masteries curriculum begins with 19 months of training in core family medicine skills. Residents then elect to pursue a Major or Mastery in an area of interest. Majors are completed within 3 years, while Masteries are completed in 4 years and include advanced training (MPH, MBA, advanced obstetrics). Since implementation, residents have selected a broad range of Majors, three residents have elected advanced training in three different mastery areas, and resident recruitment has not been disrupted.

The Majors and Masteries curriculum and the process used to implement it may benefit other residencies considering radical curriculum change.