Using Resident and Faculty Focus Groups to Obtain Stakeholder Input during the ACGME Self-study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Research
• Graduate Medical Education Program Evaluation

Background:

• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education mandates program self-studies.
• Stakeholder input is crucial for validating self-study findings.
• Focus groups yield unique data not obtainable through other methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the value of focus groups in assessing stakeholder priorities.
• To understand program aims, opportunities, threats, and improvement areas.
• To evaluate the sustainability of program improvements.

Main Methods:

• Conducted focus groups with pediatric residents and core faculty (2017-2018).
• Sessions focused on program aims, opportunities, threats, progress, and improvement areas.
• Utilized inductive content analysis and repeated focus groups semi-annually.

Main Results:

• Identified 8 key program aims, opportunities, and threats.
• Stakeholders confirmed the appropriateness of selected areas for improvement.
• Semi-annual focus groups enabled progress monitoring and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.

Conclusions:

• Focus groups effectively initiate self-studies and analyze program components.
• They facilitate the formulation of detailed improvement plans.
• Focus groups are valuable for continuous evaluation during dynamic change processes.