User's Guide

THREADS across the Four Components: ACGME Competency Areas and Areas for Greater Emphasis

Where can I Find X, Y or Z?

SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS for use of the FOUR COMPONENTS OTHER Tools and Resource

Pediatric/adult population care and care of families

Family medicine encompasses the care of patients and families across the life span. The resources contained within the family medicine clerkship component reflect this breadth of family medicine. Separating out families or adult versus pediatric practice, therefore, within the context of teaching family medicine   is not seen in the FMCR resource; rather they are integrated throughout. For example within the broad goals and objectives for the family medicine clerkship indexed by three themes of the clerkship and by ACGME competencies http://fammed.musc.edu/fmc/data/ACGME_Themes.htm within Patient care , the issue of working with patients and families across the life span is addressed.   This is illustrated within two of the themes for the family medicine clerkship below (acute and chronic illness theme and prevention and wellness theme). PATIENT CARE: Acute & Chronic Illness Theme Family Medicine Clerkship
  • Collaborate with health care professionals, including those from other disciplines, to provide patient-centered care and preventive services across the life-span.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' culture, age, gender and disabilities when providing care.
  • Collect and incorporate appropriate psychosocial, cultural and family data into a patient management plan.
  • Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions using patient information and preferences, scientific evidence and clinical judgment.
  • Describe the continuing role & responsibility of the family physician in the care of patients during the process of consultation and referral.
  • Develop & implement a management plan for common, acute illnesses using a focused, problem-oriented assessment.
  • Participate in a chronic disease management plan in partnership with the patient, patient's family and other health care professionals that enhances functional outcome & quality of life.
  • Counsel and educate patients and families about acute and chronic illnesses.
  • Perform office-based procedures under supervision of a family physician.
  • Recognize the need for the family physicians continuing role and responsibility in the care of patients during the process of consultation and referral.

PATIENT CARE: Prevention & Wellness Theme  in the Family Medicine Clerkship  

  • Apply screening protocols based on guidelines and recommendations to identify risks for disease or injury and opportunities to promote wellness for the following care groups:
    • Child care (e.g. nutrition, immunizations)
    • Adolescent care
    • Adult (e.g. hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diet, CAD, CA, HRT, substance abuse, environmental exposure, occupational disease, STD)
    • Maternity care
    • Geriatric (e.g. advance directives)
  • Counsel patients and their families about serious effects of harmful personal behaviors and habits and appropriate health maintenance strategies.
 

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This page last updated October 21, 2004