Comparison of continuity clinic experience by practice setting and postgraduate level

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pediatric Residency Training
• Continuity of Care

Background:

• Continuity clinics are integral to pediatric residency training.
• Variations in practice settings may influence resident experiences.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for effective curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pediatric resident experiences in continuity clinics across different practice settings (community-based private offices vs. university-based private and public clinics).
• To assess the impact of postgraduate level on these experiences.

Main Methods:

• A mailed questionnaire was used to survey 118 pediatric residents at Baylor College of Medicine in May 1993.
• Data collected focused on patient volume, continuity of care, patient visit types, and faculty supervision.

Main Results:

• Residents in private offices reported higher patient volume but less continuity of care compared to university clinics.
• Private office residents managed more acute care and spent more time observing, while university clinic residents managed more well-child care.
• No significant differences in these measures were found based on postgraduate training level.

Conclusions:

• Continuity clinic experiences, including patient volume, continuity, visit type, and supervision, differ significantly by practice setting.
• Postgraduate level does not appear to influence these key aspects of continuity clinic training.
• Curriculum development must account for practice setting variations to optimize resident education.