Outcomes assessment in general practice residency programs

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Accreditation Standards
• Outcomes Assessment

Background:

• The Commission on Dental Accreditation established outcomes assessment as a mandatory accreditation standard in 1988.
• This standard applies to all accredited dental programs.
• General practice residency programs require a structured approach to meet this standard.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of outcomes assessment for general practice residency programs.
• To provide an adaptable plan for program-specific goal alignment.
• To offer practical examples for effective outcomes assessment.

Main Methods:

• Review of accreditation standards and best practices in outcomes assessment.
• Development of a flexible framework for general practice residency programs.
• Inclusion of illustrative examples for goals, objectives, measurement tools, data collection, and documentation.

Main Results:

• A clear description of outcomes assessment principles for dental residency programs.
• A foundational plan that can be customized to diverse program objectives.
• Practical guidance on key components of outcomes assessment, including measurement and data handling.

Conclusions:

• Outcomes assessment is a critical component of dental program accreditation.
• The provided framework supports general practice residency programs in meeting accreditation requirements.
• Adaptable strategies are essential for successful implementation and continuous improvement.