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 Researchers focus on educating patients and families with
evidence-based information to help improve long-term outcomes
Thanks to funding from the Graduate Medical Education (GME) office at the University of Michigan and its Innovations Fund, residents in pediatrics at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a cutting-edge quality initiative that reinforces the patient and family−centered care philosophy considered a cornerstone at the University of Michigan Health System.
According to David S. Rosen, M.D., M.P.H., clinical professor of pediatrics and communicable disease, internal medicine and psychiatry and the associate director of pediatric education, this program will focus on a new way to educate residents and ultimately a new way for those residents to interact with and educate patients and families. "Ultimately we hope to see a demonstrated improvement in care as a result," comments Rosen. "This is an innovation in teaching and we are delighted to receive this support from the GME."
Rosen’s residents intend to improve the level of health information given to patients and families by engaging in innovative research options that focus only on the most accurate evidence−based information. They plan to improve health education and interaction between residents and patients and their families by measuring and evaluating a variety of communication tools and styles. Determining the best way to share information with families is critical to ensuring that patients will succeed in their follow-up, whether that is within the UMHS network or at home. The program also encourages residents to be more aware of the health literacy level of patients and their families, ensuring that they have full comprehension of all aspects of care described by their medical team.
"We intend to use metrics to measure outcomes and show that families who seem to truly understand the evidence−based information presented will see improvements in their health over time," says Rosen. For example, a child with asthma whose family is educated about the disease with this approach will have fewer Emergency Department visits, which can be measured and documented.
Rosen and staff from many areas, including the medical education department, the health sciences library and technical services, have been busy developing a curriculum for this initiative. They also have created a professional development program for the faculty mentors working with the residents. Initially, the program will involve two teams of eight to 10 pediatric
residents, expanding to four teams after the first year, pending continued funding. The GME grant covers expenses for the first year, with the opportunity to seek financial support for up to five years, at which point Rosen anticipates the program will be self-sustaining.
For more information about Competency−Based Education visit www.med.umich.edu/pediatrics/edu/cbe.htm. |
