Background and Objectives: Because patients often present to their family physicians with undifferentiated medical problems, uncertainty is common. Family medicine residents must manage both the ambiguity inherent in the field as well as the very real uncertainty of learning to become a skilled physician with little experience to serve as a guide. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the impact of a new curriculum on family medicine residents’ tolerance of ambiguity. Methods: We conducted an exploratory quasi-experimental study to assess the impact of a novel curriculum designed to improve family medicine residents’ tolerance of ambiguity. Four different surveys were administered to 25 family medicine residents at different stages in their training prior to and immediately and 6 months after the new curriculum. Results: Although many constructs remained unchanged with the intervention, one important construct, namely perceived threats of ambiguity, showed significant and sustained improvement relative to before undertaking this curriculum (score of 26.2 prior to the intervention, 22.1 immediately after, and 22.0 6 months after the intervention). Conclusions: A new curriculum designed to improve tolerance to ambiguity appears to reduce the perceived threats of ambiguity in this small exploratory study.
Background and Objectives: Reports of innovations in evidence-based medicine (EBM) training have focused on curriculum design and knowledge gained. Little is known about the educational culture and environment for EBM training and the extent to which those environments exist in family medicine residencies in the United States. Methods: A literature review on this topic identified a validated EBM environment scale intended for learner use. This scale was adapted for completion by family medicine residency program directors (PDs) and administered through an omnibus survey. Responses to this scale were analyzed descriptively with program and PD demographics. An EBM culture score was calculated for each program and the results were regressed with the correlated demographics. Results: In our adapted survey, family medicine PDs generally rated their residencies high on the EBM culture scale, but admitted to challenges with faculty feedback to residents about EBM skills, ability to protect time for EBM instruction, and clinician skepticism about EBM. In linear regression analysis, the mean summary score on the EBM scale was lower for female PDs and in programs with a higher proportion of international medical school graduates. Conclusions: To improve the culture for EBM teaching, family medicine residency programs should focus on faculty engagement and support and the allocation of sufficient time for EBM education.
he duration of family medicine residency training in the United States has been 3 years since the inception of the discipline in 1969. Family medicine training around the world ranges from 2 to 5 years, with varying approaches to undergraduate and predoctoral education. Much has changed in US medicine since 1969, yet the core values of family medicine have remained consistent. While adjustments in curricula, structure, and sequence may be warranted, 3 years remains the appropriate length of training for family medicine residents. A longer duration of training poses significant challenges at the same time that learners need more choice and flexibility. Innovation in training requires creative thought, reforms, and adaptability, without increasing the length of training.
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