A national survey of medical risk assessment instruction in general practice residency programs: Part III

This is the third of a three-part series reporting a national survey of general practice residency directors and their evaluation of the medical risk assessment (MRA) instruction curriculum in their programs. The purpose of Part III was to report the program directors' narrative comments in response to six essay-style questions regarding problems, suggestions, and innovations encountered in their efforts. Availability of physician faculty was the most frequently mentioned problem in providing MRA instruction for general practice residents. Defining and communicating goals and objectives were also of major concern. Proposed solutions included attempts to recruit additional physician faculty and improved supervision and management of program activities, especially off-service rotations. There was no consensus as to what future modifications the Commission on Dental Accreditation should make in its approach to teaching MRA as defined in Standard 14. The majority of responses indicated a desire to decrease total experience, especially in physical examination requirements other than head and neck.