Internal review--a fruitful family practice evaluation tool

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Curriculum Development
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• The Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto established an internal review system in 1975.
• This initiative aimed to systematically evaluate undergraduate and postgraduate medical programs.
• The review process was designed to be comprehensive, covering various medical disciplines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and assess an internal review system for medical education programs.
• To identify areas for improvement within the undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.
• To foster a better understanding of departmental goals and operational structures.

Main Methods:

• Conducting site visits by inspection teams to major teaching resources.
• Developing detailed reports with actionable recommendations.
• Phased evaluation of different program components, including family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and psychiatry.

Main Results:

• The internal review process led to specific, positive changes in educational programs.
• Enhanced program organization and a clearer departmental vision were observed.
• The review facilitated a deeper understanding of the department's objectives and functions.

Conclusions:

• Ongoing internal program review is beneficial for medical education.
• Key benefits include program enhancement, improved organization, and clarified departmental goals.
• Challenges associated with the review process include the significant time and organizational resources required.