FP Report -- September 1998 Focus groups seek input from students, residents
The Academy developed the Student Interest Task Force in 1988 to encourage medical students to choose careers in family practice. This year, however, instead of preaching the benefits of being a family physician, the SITF decided to update its knowledge of how residents and students feel about family practice. The SITF asked for their advice at the National Congress of Family Practice Residents/National Congress of Student Members, July 30-Aug. 2 in Kansas City, Mo.
For the first time, the task force contracted with the Mellman Group, a nationally recognized research firm, to conduct a series of "dial" focus groups with attendees at the meetings.
Each session allowed participants to share their thoughts and concerns regarding the specialty and the Academy in their own words. Throughout the two-hour sessions, participants also used hand-held "dials" that recorded their confidential responses to a variety of questions.
Views the residents and students shared:
- They like the idea of the compassionate old-time family doctor, who played a special role in the lives of patients and their families, paired with state-of-the-art information and technology available today.
- They chose family practice because they want to help people, take a leadership role in their communities and care for patients from the first cry to last breath.
- On the flip side, they have some concerns about managed care and the perception that FPs don't get the respect they deserve from medical colleagues.
Results from this research will help form the foundation for future communications with young people: potential medical students, students who are potential family practice residents, and residents who are potential AAFP active members.
"We believe that the information gained through this research project will give the Academy an edge in future communications with medical students about the specialty of family practice," said Julea Garner, M.D., AAFP Education Division assistant director and Student Interest Task Force staff executive.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department. Copyright © 1998 by American Academy of Family Physicians.
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