Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving The Health Of Diabetic Patients Through Resident-Initiated Group Visits, Chris Wheelock, Judith A. Savageau, Hugh Silk, Scott Lee

Judith A. Savageau

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Group visits have the potential to benefit patients with chronic illnesses. Our objective was to implement resident-run diabetic group visits that would improve patient education and help patients become more involved in their care. METHODS: We developed systems to promote, coordinate, and lead the visits. Residents' responsibilities were delegated through a preparation checklist. A standardized progress note was developed to encourage patient goal setting and to track relevant laboratory test results. To evaluate our program, we conducted surveys to determine patients' behavioral changes and satisfaction levels and assessed the effect on group visit participants' glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) …

Community Dimensions And Hpsa Practice Location: 30 Years Of Family Medicine Training, Suzanne B. Cashman, Judith A. Savageau, Warren J. Ferguson, Daniel H. Lasser

Judith A. Savageau

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to assess practicing family physicians' confidence and participation in a range of community-related activities. Additionally, we assessed the strength of the relationship between the physicians' reported medical school and residency training in community-related activities and their current community activities, as well as whether they were practicing in an underserved location. METHODS: All 347 graduates of the University of Massachusetts Family Medicine Residency were surveyed about practice location and type, involvement and training in community work, confidence in community-related skills, and sociodemographic characteristics. Analyses were conducted by residency graduation decade (1976-1985, 1986-1995, and 1996-2005). RESULTS: …

Family Medicine Residency Characteristics Associated With Practice In A Health Professions Shortage Area, Warren J. Ferguson, Suzanne B. Cashman, Judith A. Savageau, Daniel H. Lasser

Judith A. Savageau

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While some family medicine residency programs are designed to train residents in community health centers (CHCs) for future careers serving underserved populations, there are few outcome studies on such programs. Our residency program provides three options for ambulatory health center training, but otherwise residents participate in the same curriculum. We analyzed relationships between ambulatory training site and likelihood of practice in health professions shortage areas (HPSAs).

METHODS: We sent a mail survey to all graduates of one family medicine residency about practice locations, types, and populations; influences on practice choice; and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS: Training in a …