To provide the training necessary to be responsive to the health care needs of the American public.

Strategic Directions:

3.1 Develop residency training sites and methodologies that are responsive to community needs.

3.2 Emphasize longitudinal ambulatory-focused residency training.

Who:
AAFP, ACGME, RAP, STFM.

Strategy:

• Incorporate into RRC-FP "Special Requirements."
• Emphasize RAP Criteria for Excellence.
• RAP/PD Workshops.
• RAP consultations.
• Articles in AFPRD "Highlights" and RAP Newsletter, etc.
• RAP/AFPRD Networking Resource Line.

3.3 Utilize the skills of a variety of non-physician health care professionals in a multidisciplinary training model.

Who:
Family practice residency programs, ACGME.

Strategy:

• Nurse practitioner/physician assistant faculty in family medicine residency programs.
• Other health care professionals as faculty (social workers, clinical pharmacists, etc.).
• Shared faculty with other health care professional schools.
• Grant dollars, clinical income.
• Educational programming at RAP/PD workshops, etc.

3.4 Allow flexibility of content, location and teaching methods to prepare residents for their planned practice sites.

Who:
ACGME, residencies.

Strategy:
• New RRC-FP language.

3.5 Encourage the development of more inner city/rural training experiences.

Who:
ACGME, family medicine residency programs, AFPRD, AAFP, RAP, STFM.

Strategy:

• Grant $.
• Workshops at RAP, PDW, STFM.
• Re-evaluate RRC-FP definitions and requirements for continuity.
• Increase reimbursement for care to underserved populations.

3.6 Explore sharing of teaching resources with other disciplines as appropriate.

Who:
AAFP, family medicine residency programs, ACGME, STFM.

Strategy:

• Program directors' organizations, PCOC.
• Certifying boards and other organizations as appropriate to facilitate exploration.

3.7 Evaluate and explore the development or modification of family medicine residency programs which combine the fourth year of medical school with the first year of residency.

Who:
ABFP, ADFM, AFPRD, AAFP, RAP, STFM.

Strategy:

• Disseminate information on models, evaluation of early results.
• Presentations at RAP/PD workshops, STFM.