Community Medicine Competencies for Postgraduate Year Residents: A Qualitative Study Based on the Six ACGME...

Community medicine is a key topic of training for postgraduate year (PGY) doctors. When physicians practice in community settings, the traditional six core competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are adapted for community contexts. In this study, we performed a qualitative analysis to identify core competencies and relevant training needs for community medicine practice in PGY residents.

Seven clinical teachers involved in community medicine education and seven PGY doctors who had received community medicine training were invited to participate in in-depth interviews and a focus group, respectively. The interviews and group discussion were transcribed and analyzed thematically. A six-step thematic analysis was performed to identify the core competencies for community medicine and related training issues.

The six-step thematic analysis revealed six core competencies for community medicine: community-based patient care, community-based medical knowledge, integration into community systems, the humanistic spirit in the community, self-improvement and a sustainable community, and interpersonal and communication skills in the community. Training goals and training settings were also identified.

We modified the six core competencies for resident physicians to improve alignment with community medicine. The modified competencies may inform relevant PGY training programs.