Educating the family practice resident in the use of community resources

Training in the knowledge and use of community resources is a requirement for family practice residency programs. This article describes the community resources sequence of the behavioral science curriculum developed for a family practice residency program affiliated with a 450-bed community hospital on the far northwest side of the city of Chicago. During the first 2 years of the program, residents have been exposed to a variety of community services, including a visit to a model transitional living facility operated by a local community mental health center and a demonstration session by a self-help group for the terminally ill. Residents have been enthusiastic in their participation, and basic program objectives have been met.