Resident training in community pediatricians' offices. Not a financial drain
J. R. Sargent and L. M. Osborn
Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
There are numerous disadvantages to teaching ambulatory pediatrics in
hospital-based clinics. The present study evaluated the economic impact on
community pediatricians' practices that served as continuity experience
sites for pediatric residents by using an apprenticeship model. The number
of patients seen and the dollars billed by the presence of a resident, even
though these preceptors provided significantly more supervision to
residents than that received by residents in hospital-based clinics.
Furthermore, residents billed substantial revenues for preceptor practices.
This approach to teaching general pediatrics is economically viable,
providing resident stipends are not dependent on fees generated by patient
visits.