Some considerations in the design of family practice residency experiences

A time-study of residents in a family practice training program is reported. Data concerning time with patients and time with attending physicians tended to be inversely associated with patient volume. The proportions of time spent in these two activities are compared with related activities reported for other participants in postgraduate medical education and for practicing physicians. Study results are used to illustrate and develop some issues involved in thd design of residency experiences for primary care physicians.