El Programa de medicina general familiar y comunitaria de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Historia, proceso y productos

Abstract

This paper describe the process and products of the implementation of a community oriented postgraduate programme at the P. Universidad Católica de Chile (P.U.C.). The Family and Community Medicine Residency Programme at the P.U.C. began in May 1993. Several external and internal forces motivated the creation of this new programme, for example: the epidemiologic transition, Ministery of Health, international initiatives, young P.U.C. medical graduates, curricular change and past community health initiatives at the P.U.C. The basic activities of the three year program are: clinical work at the public ambulatory care facility, clinical work at the outpatient clinic of P.U.C. (including specialities), emergency care, community health, diverse courses and seminars. The educational method is “problem based learning” using, as a basic tool, the “evidence based medicine”. The programme was created five years ago, showing at present many positive results, such as: twenty live graduates of the programme, undergraduate medical education, academic oriented public Family and Community Health Care Centers are now in development, research in Primary Care, publications, continuing health education to other members of the health care team and international fellows interchange.