A multidisciplinary approach for teaching systems-based practice to internal medicine residents

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Systems Management
• Internal Medicine Residency

Background:

• The increasing complexity of healthcare systems challenges graduating internists.
• The Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine initiated the Educational Innovations Project (EIP) to address these challenges.
• EIP encourages residency programs to develop innovative training strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an innovative administrative internship designed to enhance systems-based practice skills in internal medicine residents.
• To assess the impact of a multiyear curriculum involving rotations and interaction with nonphysician personnel.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a multiyear administrative internship curriculum during internal medicine residency.
• Rotations involving close interaction with nonphysician hospital staff.
• Surveys of senior residents, recent graduates, and faculty educators.
• Tracking of systems-based practice metrics: core measure compliance, length of stay, and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Residents acknowledge the critical need for systems-based practice skills and structured training.
• Graduating residents often desire more extensive training in these areas.
• The administrative internship aims to equip residents with leadership and quality improvement skills.

Conclusions:

• Internal medicine residency programs are enhancing systems-based practice training.
• The study suggests a greater emphasis on systems-based practice is warranted in graduate medical education.
• Innovative curricula, like the administrative internship, can effectively prepare physicians for healthcare system demands.