Beyond diagnosis: patient mix and challenges to patient care in ambulatory training sites

Abstract

Background: Educational experiences in ambulatory medicine vary by site.

Purpose: To evaluate variations in patient mix and challenges in patient care at 3 ambulatory training sites.

Method: Patients (n=123) receiving care at a VA medical center (VA), an urban academic medical center's primary care center (PCC), and a community group practice (CGP) were evaluated.

Results: Patients at the VA (n=55), compared with those at the PCC (n=44) and the CGP (n=24), were older, more likely to be male, and white (all P<0.05). Patients at the VA and the PCC reported difficulty with functional and health status more frequently than those at the CGP (all P<0.05). Common medical diagnoses varied across sites and comorbidity scores were > or = 2 in 48% of VA subjects compared with 16% at the PCC and 29% at the CGP (P<0.05). Challenges most frequently cited were administrative issues at the VA (44%), patient-physician communication at the PCC (39%), and medical decisions at the CGP (50%) (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Ambulatory training sites can differ greatly with respect to characteristics beyond diagnosis. Plans for increased and improved ambulatory training of internal medicine residents should include attention to these issues to ensure exposure to an adequate patient spectrum.