Longitudinal residency training: A survey of family practice residency programs

Background and Objectives: Most family practice residency training consists of 2-4-week block rotations in specific curricular areas, supplemented by training in the family practice center An alternative model, longitudinal residency training, emphasizes training in curricular areas over a 3-year time period. This study determined the frequency of longitudinal training in family practice residency programs. Methods: We conducted a survey of 477 residency, program directors listed in the American Academy of Family Physicians 2000 Directory of Family Practice Residency Programs. Results: Sixty-eight percent (n = 320) of program directors responded to the survey. A total of 3.6% of program directors described their program as "mostly longitudinal," and 14.2% described their program as "half block/half longitudinal." An additional 15% of program directors indicated interest in adopting or moving toward a longitudinal program in the next 2 years. Responses suggest some inconsistencies in program directors' understanding of what constitutes a longitudinal curriculum. Conclusions: Longitudinal residency training is reported in 18% of family practice residency programs. Further work is needed to develop a definition of longitudinal residency, training.