Family Medicine Core Goals and Objectives

Goals:

1. To build a patient practice that embodies the provision of first contact, person-focused ongoing care over time that meets the health-related needs of the patient, referring only those problems too uncommon to maintain competence, and coordinating care when the patient receives services at other levels of care.
2. To develop a pattern of practice-based learning and improvement that involves the investigation and evaluation of care for their patients through the appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence.
3. To develop interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals.
4. To embody professionalism as manifested through a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to patients of diverse backgrounds.
5. To demonstrate facility in systems-based practice, as manifested by actions that demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.

Objectives:

1. Residents will be able to discuss the role of family physicians in the family, community, and culture of each of his/her patients.
2. Residents will be oriented to the Family Medical Center including proper charting, ICD-9 coding, and health insurance regulations.
3. Residents will function as a member of the health care team within the office and greater medical setting.
4. Residents will see patients on a daily basis and do all follow-up of their own patients.
5. Residents will be able to discuss the behavioral, interpersonal, and cultural challenges that physicians deal with in their training and practice.
6. Residents will have established their own process of self education for the remainder of their careers.