Creation of a family medicine residency blog

Abstract

Objective To describe the process of creating the Family Medicine Vital Signs blog, curated and edited by residents and faculty at the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program and to obtain feedback from participants regarding educational impact. Methods Each resident and faculty member contributes at least one blog post per year (with other invited authors), resulting in one post per week on the blog site. An editorial board composed of residents and faculty provides direction and editorial assistance for each post. Residency staff assist in providing authors with reminders and logistical support. A survey was conducted of blog contributors to understand their perceptions of the blog's educational value. Results The Family Medicine Vital Signs blog was started in July 2014, with 40% (n = 68) of the 170 posts provided by residents, 38.2% (n = 65) by faculty, and 21.8% (n = 37) by invited authors through June 2017. It has averaged nearly 100 unique readers per week and has had 15 posts republished in different venues. The participant survey demonstrated scores above the median-possible score, showing positive impact in support of the educational goals. Conclusion A residency blog provides a venue for educational instruction, supporting physician development of communication skills, community engagement, and advocacy.

Advocacy Curricula in Graduate Medical Education: an Updated Systematic Review from 2017 to 2022

“…Only one curriculum reported using web-based modules 39 . Other unique educational methods described included panel debate 40 , writing an online blog 29 , developing advocacy alerts, 17 and coaching. 11 …”

“…Designation of resident and faculty champions 13 , 14 , 21 , 27 , 29 was identified by several articles as a key strategy to promote curricular success and sustainability. Highlighting advocacy opportunities and outcomes at meetings, on program websites, and through listservs 21 , 26 and providing platforms to share advocacy projects long-term 26 were tools used to increase visibility and accessibility of advocacy-focused work, limit activation energy and encourage participation in this work 14 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 26 , reflect program identity to residency applicants during recruitment 7 , 18 , 21 , 26 , 31 , and promote longevity of efforts 26 .…”

“…In terms of outcomes, building and utilizing skill checklists 20 were a suggested tool to track achievement. Scholarly opportunities were shown to be of importance to trainees 21 , 27 , 29 , 31 , and articles described ways to ensure trainees saw academic benefit from their advocacy education (e.g., residents interested in pursuing fellowship could combine advocacy efforts with research interests to produce scholarly work) 7 . Provision of academic recognition promoted a sense of achievement and career advancement 7 .…”

“…13 As the last intensive didactic opportunity prior to independent medical practice, the graduate medical education (GME) years present a prime opportunity to teach advocacy. Data suggests that meaningful engagement in advocacy can reinforce physician identity and the choice to practice medicine 8 – 11 , 26 , provide an outlet for stress management 27 , mitigate burnout 7 – 9 , 26 , 28 , and support professional development 29 . Despite increasing recognition of its importance, advocacy education remains elusive and challenging.…”

Internetalapú egészségkommunikációs lehetőségek (blogok, podcastok, videócsatornák) és a közösségi média

“…Bár a blogok eleinte elsődlegesen betegfelvilágosítási céllal jöttek létre, kifejezetten hatékonyak szakmai továbbképzés céljából is [10,11]. Számtalan egyetem implementálta a blogot mint kommunikációs felületet a graduális és a posztgraduális képzésbe, például a bőrgyógyászatban [12], a háziorvoslásban [13] vagy az aneszteziológiai és sürgősségi rezidensek képzésében [14]. A lektorálás hiánya miatt a blogfelületen történő publikálás esetén a források feltüntetése kifejezetten ajánlott a hitelesség növelése érdekében, valamint esetbemutatások kapcsán a betegjogi vonatkozások figyelembevétele is elkerülhetetlen.…”