Learning Networks: How Family Medicine Departments Are Meeting the Requirement

In 2023, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education added participation within a "learning collaborative" or "learning network" (LN) as a requirement for family medicine residencies. The structure and scope of what makes an acceptable LN was only vaguely defined. The purpose of this study was to learn how many family medicine residencies associated with departments already belong to LNs, the purpose and funding of these existing LNs, and barriers to entering LNs.

An online survey was sent to family medicine department chairs through a Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance omnibus study from August to September 2023. Survey questions explored the purpose, structure, and funding of LNs that associated residency programs already belonged to as well as the chairs' beliefs and knowledge about LNs.

Of the 227 chairs, 119 completed the survey (50.2%). About 53% reported that their department was part of an LN, with more than one-third belonging for 5 years or less; 47% had a low understanding of what an LN is; and 71% had little to no concern that collaborating in an LN would negatively affect residency recruitment. The purpose of most LNs was a mix of research, education, and clinical activities. Faculty's lack of knowledge about LNs and lack of time were the top barriers identified to joining an LN. Funding was varied, and departmental funding was positively associated with administrative control of the LN.

About half of the residency programs associated with family medicine departments already belong to LNs. Wide variation among existing LNs may lead to significantly disparate outcomes for residents and residencies as they navigate this new requirement.