Enhancing procedural training in a family practice residency

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Family Medicine
• Outpatient Procedures

Background:

• Teaching outpatient procedures is a core responsibility for family practice residency programs.
• Effective procedural training necessitates adequate equipment, faculty expertise, and structured curricula.
• This study details a specific residency program's initiative to improve outpatient procedure education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and analyze an attempt to enhance the teaching of outpatient procedures within a family practice residency.
• To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the volume and training of residents performing procedures.

Main Methods:

• Tabulation of all office procedures performed between 1993 and 1996 at a US southeastern family practice residency.
• Comparison of procedure volume and charges before and during an intervention.
• Intervention included hiring a full-time procedural nurse and acquiring new procedural equipment.

Main Results:

• Total annual procedures increased from 322 to 540 between 1993 and 1996.
• The program invested $177,000 over four years, with an estimated procedural income of $127,000, indicating a net loss.
• Procedure volume and income decreased in the final year as the procedural nurse took on additional duties.

Conclusions:

• A focused initiative can increase the volume and improve the teaching of common outpatient procedures in family practice residencies.
• Significant staffing and financial resources are essential for the success and sustainability of such programs.
• Careful management of personnel roles is crucial to maintain procedural focus and financial viability.