Family medicine
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Schools of medicine in the United States may overstate the placement of their graduates in primary care. The purpose of this project was to determine the magnitude by which primary care output is overestimated by commonly used metrics and identify a more accurate method for predicting actual primary care output. ⋯ A valid, reliable method of predicting primary care output is essential for workforce training and planning. Medical schools, administrators, policy makers, and popular press should adopt this new, more reliable primary care reporting method.
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There has been a growth in the demand for convenient, walk-in access in health care across the United States, resulting in primary care practices seeing a shift in services to urgent care centers (UCCs). In order to incorporate the flexibility of a UCC and improve primary care access and preventive care for our regular patients, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Family Medicine Center (FMC) established a UCC within the practice. This report describes that process and the impact of the new UCC on our academic practice. ⋯ The opening of urgent care at the UNC FMC provided improved access for our patients, increased the number of patients empaneled in our primary care practice, and provided a new revenue stream.
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Although the subinternship (sub-I) is considered integral in many medical schools' curricula, family medicine does not have standardized course recommendations. Given the variable nature of this clinical experience, this study investigated the potential role of a standardized sub-I curriculum in family medicine. ⋯ A sub-I is a way to further expose students to family medicine, and increasing sub-I positions at residency programs may influence the number who pursue the specialty. Creation of a standardized sub-I curriculum presents an opportunity to enhance a critical educational experience in family medicine.
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Residents need to learn about practice management, including how to improve the quality of their patient care utilizing practice data. However, little is known about the effectiveness of providing practice data to residents. This study examined the effectiveness of utilizing resident practice management reports. ⋯ Providing residents with their clinic practice data, with reference to team practice data and national benchmarks further helps them learn and apply practice management, when superimposed on an existing infrastructure to teach practice management.
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At a time when the US health care system needs greater access to comprehensive, on-demand primary care, the University of North Carolina Family Medicine Center found itself struggling to meet patient demands within the confines of an outdated facility. Clinic leadership sought to redesign the physical space to expand capacity, integrate other members of the care team, support extended hours of operation, and improve patient experience. ⋯ Lean methodology proved to be an effective strategy for analyzing our current workflows and use of physical space. Moreover, lean strategies proved vital for redesigning and renovating our clinic.