Family medicine home visit programs in U.S. and Canadian medical schools

In this report, the authors describe the current status of home visit training programs in family medicine education in U.S. and Canadian medical schools. Thirty-two percent of the 137 medical schools with programs in family medicine provide opportunities for students to visit patients in their homes. In most of these schools, visits are mandatory, are made by one student, occur at more than one level of study, and require a written report by the student. Information gathered during the visit becomes part of the patient's medical record and is shared with health care providers. Physician participation in the visit is more frequently optional and an alternative to the participation of nonphysician faculty members or allied health professionals. Ninety-four percent of the respondents whose schools have programs report that students, faculty members, and patients have positive attitudes toward the visit. Suggestions for improving and/or designing home visit programs are provided based on the data accumulated during the study.