Residency Training Faculty Development Seminar
As part of its teaching mission, the Academy sought funding for residency training, since residency is a time during which new physicians form lasting practice patterns. Academy leaders designed a one-day course for internal medicine and family practice residency faculty. The first seminar was offered in New Jersey in June 2001. The topic list included:
- making the case for house calls to stakeholders (hospital administrators, program directors, residents);
- practical aspects of program development;
- a core curriculum that residents should receive;
- various models for structuring teaching house call programs;
- teaching the basics of making house calls using a self-instructional multi-media program;
- overcoming difficult attitudes and logistics;
- a vision for leadership in this field;
- making specific plans to change the participants' own residency programs.
A second faculty development seminar was held in Minneapolis in October 2001. The Academy hopes this will become a national program and is helping to bring the seminar to other areas of the country.
This program was designed to be portable and to be replicated in multiple venues. Now that the materials are developed, delivery cost is comparatively low and a small local foundation grant should suffice. This is designed for a local one-day effort, requiring no hotel contract, and low food, material, faculty, and travel costs. For continuity, we suggest including one or two core instructors from the Academy's original development group along with other local or regional teachers.
Restoring house calls and home care to mainstream medical practice requires a multi-faceted intervention, including public demand, provider financial incentives, student, resident and faculty education, and peer role modeling. This program provides an excellent opportunity to advance the cause. If you are interested in developing a replication, please contact Constance Row at the Academy (410-676-7966, or aahcp@mindspring.org).