A PROGRESS REPORT ON ACCELERATED RESIDENCY PROGRAMS IN FAMILY-PRACTICE

Background. In 1991 the American Board of Family Practice (ABFP) appro ved 12 programs to participate in an experiment in medical education. Selected students in 12 medical schools are able to complete their fir st year of family practice residency while completing their fourth yea r of school. This paper reports on the progress of the programs and re sidents participating in this project. Method. Data from the ABFP in-t raining examination and certification examination were compiled for al l trainees and graduates through 1994. Performances were compared with national norms and the performances of traditional residents in the s ame programs, The program directors were surveyed to assess their expe riences, program effectiveness, benefits, liabilities, and implementat ion problems. Results. Accelerated residents performed better than the ir peers and national norms on the ABFP in-training and certification examinations. The directors rated the clinical performance of accelera ted residents as equal to or better than the clinical performance of t raditional residents by the end of the program. Advantages of accelera ted residency included improvements in recruiting, image, and morale. Problems occurred in order and prescription writing and acceptance of the accelerated residents by nurses, other residents, and physicians i n other disciplines, Conclusion. Early entry into residency training o f bright, highly motivated, and mature students appears to offer benef its for trainees and programs alike.