An inspirational reconvening of medical leaders, innovators, teachers, and coordinators in Charlotte, North Carolina
Held on the weekend of April 10-13, 2022, this year’s Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine Week (AAIMW) 2022 was informative and thought-provoking, and did not disappoint! Teeming with great content, several of our MedHub partners and users presented inspirational, innovative, and helpful topics. The sessions were insightful and it was invigorating to be surrounded by the Internal Medicine GME community (in-person!) once again. We reconnected, networked, forged new relationships, and learned from one another.
While all sessions demonstrated expert knowledge, innovative ideas, and best practices, we’ve highlighted two impactful sessions from AAIMW as well as information on the new program requirements. Read on for insights from Rhea Fortune, Graduate Medical Education Consultant, with MedHub.
Can Medical Education Be a TIMELESS Experience? Making the Case for Competency-Based Time-Variable Training in GME
Presenters:
- Bi A Awosika, MD, FACP, SFHM, Associate Program Director, The University of Cincinnati
- Maximilian Cruz, MD, Chief Resident, The University of Cincinnati
- Benjamin Kinnear, MD, Assistant Program Director, The University of Cincinnati
- Danny Clancy Trotier, MD, Chief Resident, The University of Cincinnati
In this session, leaders in the Internal Medicine program at The University of Cincinnati described the history of GME training in the United States while articulating the rationale and supporting evidence for Competency-Based Time-Variable Training (CBTVT). After sharing the successes and current challenges from an ongoing CBTVT pilot in their internal medicine residency program, Transitions in Internal Medicine Education Leveraging Entrustment Scales and Scores (TIMELESS), they invited an open conversation around both the practical and theoretical benefits as well as challenges of CBTVT.
To explore the TIMELESS pilot program further, check out The Curbsiders Teach podcast episode, #7 Transforming Medical Education: A Competency-Based, Time-Variable Approach with Dr Ben Kinnear.
Using Technology to Your Advantage, Best Practices for Digital Residency Program Management
Presenters:
- Beth Ambrosio, Residency Coordinator, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Regina Steffen, Academic Residency Program Coordinator, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (University Hospitals of Cleveland)
- Maryann Dundon, Manager, Medicine Education, Allegheny Health Network Medical Education Consortium (AGH)
- Lorna Matos, C-TAGME, Program Administrator, University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville
During this educational session, the presenters discussed how to make the most of third-party systems to increase efficiency and lighten the manual work involved in universal administrative responsibilities (e.g., onboarding, scheduling, distribution of information, and record retention). They also shared great tips on how to choose the best residency management system, including what questions to ask, and stressed the importance of bringing the right people to the table when interviewing residency management system vendors.
Changes to Program Requirements
New program requirements, taking effect July 1, 2022 were reviewed by the Internal Medicine RC. Discussions included the change from 12 months (1/3 of residency training) to 10 months in the ambulatory setting as a minimum (IM-PR IV.C.3.c). Jerry Vasilias, PhD, Executive Director, RC-IM, shared this as his general advice; “Do what you’ve been doing with regards to counting.” You do not need to reconfigure your schedules—10 months is the minimum NOT a maximum. This interactive discussion served as a good reminder that programs can, and should, adjust as needed providing the minimum requirements continue to be met.
Also, of specific interest is the new core requirement II.B.4.d, which states; “At a minimum, the required core faculty members, in aggregate and excluding program leadership, must be provided with support equal to an average dedicated minimum of .1 FTE for educational and administrative responsibilities that do not involve direct patient care.” Although these requirements are effective come July 2022, no citations will be issued until July of 2023.
A question will be included in annual ADS updates and site visits will include exploration of compliance to the new core faculty requirement. Although the background and intent section state this new requirement is intended to ensure these faculty members have sufficient protected time to meet the educational responsibilities, programs are struggling with how to meet this requirement in a time of budget cuts and stressed faculty bandwidth.
As a residency management solutions partner to leading GME institutions, our team is here to partner with you in navigating the new requirements. Our experts are committed to staying one step ahead of changes that impact your programs, so we can provide guidance, support, tools, training and technology to help navigate.
You can also access helpful information in interpreting the new requirements in the background and intent sections.