Resident and Preceptor Perceptions of Preceptor Integration Into Resident Clinic Scheduling Templates.

BACKGROUND: Some internal medicine residency programs on X+Y schedules have modified clinic preceptor schedules to mimic those of the resident cohort (resident matched). This is in contrast to a traditional model, in which preceptors supervise on the same half-day each week. OBJECTIVE: We assessed preceptor and resident perceptions of the 2 precepting models. METHODS: We surveyed 44 preceptors and 97 residents at 3 clinic sites in 2 academic medical centers. Two clinics used the resident-matched model, and 1 used a traditional model. Surveys were completed at 6 months and 1 year. We assessed resident and preceptor perceptions in 5 domains: relationships between residents and preceptors; preceptor familiarity with complex patients; preceptor ability to assess milestone achievements; ability to follow up on results; and quality of care. RESULTS: There was no difference in perceptions of interpersonal relationships or satisfaction with patient care. Preceptors in the resident-matched schedule reported they were more familiar with complex patients at both 6 months and 1 year, and felt more comfortable evaluating residents' milestone achievements at 6 months, but not at 1 year. At 1 year, residents in the resident-matched model perceived preceptors were more familiar with complex patients than residents in the traditional model. The ability to discuss patient results between clinic weeks was low in both models. CONCLUSIONS: The resident-matched model increased resident and preceptor perceptions of familiarity with complex patients and early preceptor perceptions of comfort in assessment of milestone achievements.

Patients, Nurses, and Physicians Working Together to Develop a Discharge Entrustable Professional Activity Assessment Tool.

PROBLEM: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones were written by physicians and thus may not reflect all the behaviors necessary for physicians to optimize their performance as a key member of an interprofessional team. APPROACH: From April to May 2013, the authors, Educational Research Outcomes Collaborative leaders, assembled interprofessional team discussion groups, including patients or family members, nurses, physician trainees, physician educators, and other staff (optional), at 11 internal medicine (IM) programs. Led by the site's principal investigator, the groups generated a list of physician behaviors related to the entrustable professional activity (EPA) of a safe and effective discharge of a patient from the hospital, and prioritized those behaviors. OUTCOMES: A total of 182 behaviors were listed, with lists consisting of between 10 and 29 behaviors. Overall, the site principal investigators described all participants as emerging from the activity with a new understanding of the complexity of training physicians for the discharge EPA. The authors batched behaviors into six components of a safe and effective discharge: medication reconciliation, discharge summary, patient/caregiver communication, team communication, active collaboration, and anticipation of posthospital needs. Specific, high-priority behavior examples for each component were identified, and an assessment tool for direct observation was developed for the discharge EPA. NEXT STEPS: The authors are currently evaluating trainee and educator perceptions of the assessment tool after implementation in 15 IM programs. Additional next steps include developing tools for other EPAs, as well as a broader evaluation of patient outcomes in the era of milestone-based assessment.

Variations in Metformin Prescribing for Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Reasons for suboptimal metformin prescribing are unclear, but may be due to perceived risk of lactic acidosis. The purpose of this study is to describe provider attitudes regarding metformin prescribing in various patient situations. METHODS: An anonymous, electronic survey was distributed electronically to 76 health care providers across the nation. The 14-item survey contained demographic questions and questions related to prescribing of metformin for T2DM in various patient situations, including suboptimal glycemic control, alcohol use, history of lactic acidosis, and varying degrees of severity for certain health conditions, including renal and hepatic dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart failure. RESULTS: There were a total of 100 respondents. For suboptimal glycemic control, most providers (75%) would increase metformin from 1500 to 2000 mg daily; however, 25% would add an alternate agent, such as a sulfonylurea (18%) or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (7%). Although 51% of providers would stop metformin based on serum creatinine thresholds, the remainder would rely on glomerular filtration rate thresholds of <60 mL/min (15%), <30 mL/min (33%), or <15 mL/min (1%) to determine when to stop metformin. For heart failure, 45% of providers would continue metformin as currently prescribed regardless of severity. Most providers would adjust metformin for varying severity of hepatic dysfunction (74%) and alcohol abuse (40%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence supporting the cardiovascular benefits of metformin, provider attitudes toward prescribing metformin are suboptimal in certain patient situations and vary greatly by provider.