The AMA GME Competency Education Program is vital for time-strapped medical residents, with a suite of online courses that allow for learning on one’s own time, complete with newly added content covering key topics such as litigation, medication adherence and quality improvement.
The program, now being used by one in three resident physicians, has been lauded by residents and leaders in graduate medical education (GME). For the second consecutive year, the AMA GME Competency Education Program was awarded the Digital Health Award in the Medical Education category.
The program’s primary focus is to teach toward the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s (ACGME) core-competency requirements that residents must fulfill as part of their training. Modules cover five of the six competencies—patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice—required by the ACGME. The sixth requirement, medical knowledge, is one that is typically addressed during clinical education.
With eight new modules now available—in addition to the existing content—the offerings are now more comprehensive than ever before.
“As part of the American Medical Association’s commitment to drive the future of medicine, the rapid expansion of the AMA GME Competency Education Program is designed to help residents deliver the highest quality of care by supporting them throughout their training,” said Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees. “We’ve optimized the program’s GME content and e-learning experience to meet the needs and lifestyle of residents today, while also enhancing and simplifying reporting and management features for GME administrators.”
Responding to demand
The creation of the new modules was informed by feedback from AMA GME Competency Education Program users and the program’s Advisory Panel. The new courses include modules on the following topics.
Litigation—offering an overview of medical claims and the litigation process so residents know what to expect.
Creating an effective and respectful learning environment—giving residents insight on their role, using feedback to build a positive environment, and how to combat mistreatment.
Patient privacy—discussing the importance of confidentiality and the regulations that safeguard it.
Quality improvement practices—an increased area of emphasis in residency training, this module examines the ways residents can effect change.
Promoting medication adherence—exploring how can residents better communicate with patients and help them manage their medications.
Improving faculty-focused features
One of the AMA GME Competency Education Program’s major strengths is that it allows for GME program staff to create trackable curriculum that gives directors and faculty members the ability to create assignments that address the specific needs of their residents and fellows.
In addition to a more streamlined user experience, the program now has a wider variety of reporting features for administrators and managers and new ways to track and monitor resident progress. In the coming months, the AMA GME Competency Education Program will release modules that are aimed at faculty development.
With contributions by subject-matter experts from around the country, AMA GME Competency Education Program offerings include nearly 30 courses that residents can access online, on their own schedule. Among the experts are several who contributed to the AMA’s Health Systems Science textbook, which draws insights from faculty at medical schools that are part of the Association’s Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium.
For more information about the AMA GME Competency Education Program, or to request a demo, email [email protected].
The program is part of the AMA Ed Hub™, an online platform that brings together all the high-quality CME, maintenance of certification, and educational content you need—in one place—with activities relevant to you, automated credit tracking and reporting for some states and specialty boards.
