Family Medicine

Mission
The mission of the Family Medicine Residency Program is to graduate knowledgeable and competent family physicians able to assist patients and their families in addressing their medical and health related needs, through the provision of direct medical curative and preventive services and/or providing guidance through accessible medical and health care systems.

Objectives
The objectives of the Family Medicine Residency Program aim to prepare residents that fulfill upon graduation the following competencies in medical education:

• - Medical knowledge:
  Residents will demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences, and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
• - Patient care:
  Residents will be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
• - Interpersonal and communication skills:
  Residents will be able to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with patients, families, and professional associates.
• - Practice-based learning and improvement:
  Residents will be able to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and improve their patient care practices.
• - Systems-based practice:
  Residents will demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.
• - Professionalism:
  Residents will demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and adherence to ethical principles.

Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of their training, residents are expected to:

1. Provide comprehensive and continuous care for patients of different age groups and their families, both in an ambulatory and inpatient settings, individually and/or as value-added members of an effective health care team.
2. Acquire a contextually and socially appropriate “bio-psychosocial” approach in dealing with health issues.
3. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills and professional demeanor.
4. Apply the principles of prevention in their practice with attention to individual and/or community needs.
5. Commit to advocacy for better health.
6. Recognize and acknowledge personal limitations in knowledge, skills and capacity as they relate to particular professional situations and proactively advise the importance and value of additional professional involvement and input.
7. Discuss the principles of professional ethics and ethical decision-making.
8. Apply the principles of professional management of medical practice including office services, documentation and archiving, and the use of social media and information technology in support of professional role.
9. Pursue independent self-learning and skills development, and continuous medical education.
10. Proactively pursue involvement in value added health care research.