Graduate follow-up in the US Air Force family practice residency programs

Between June 30, 1973, and June 30, 1982, 216 family physicians completed residency training in family practice residencies sponsored by the US Air Force. The primary purpose of this study was to measure the adequacy of the graduates' residency training program. One hundred seventy-nine (83 percent) of the graduates responded to an extensive eight-page survey. The study assessed all Air Force program graduates as a whole as well as each program separately. Seventy-four percent of the respondents are still in the Air Force. All but one are board certified, and 19 have been recertified. Of the 179 respondents, 37.0 percent are involved in teaching medical students of family practice residents, only 5.0 percent are dissatisfied with their present hospital privileges, 43.5 percent felt that their residency training was superior to that provided by civilian family practice residency, 53.7 percent felt the training was equal, and 2.8 percent felt the training was inferior. Practice satisfaction and continuing medical education needs were also addressed in the study.