A pilot study of training family medicine residents in procedural skills at a community health center.

Background And Objectives: There are many challenges to providing procedural skills training as well as exposure to rural practice for family medicine residents, especially within the allowed hours of training.

Methods: A curriculum for self study was developed based on a Society of Teachers of Family Medicine consensus statement on procedural skills, resident interest and faculty experience. An agreement to offer a pilot procedural clinic at a community health center staffed by a family medicine faculty and resident was negotiated and delivered. Residents completed an evaluation of the experience.

Results: One faculty and 13 residents delivered 19 different procedures, with a total of 65 procedures, over an 11-month period at a community health center. Minor barriers to providing services such as initially low referral rates and lack of instruments were overcome.

Conclusions: Residents agreed that participating in this clinic increased the likelihood of adding procedures to their clinical practice and enhanced their appreciation for practice in a rural setting but may not have impacted their likelihood of practicing in a rural area.