ACGME proposes changes to accreditation requirements for residency programs

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education today released for public comment proposed revisions to Section VI of its common program requirements for accredited U.S. residency and fellowship programs for physicians in training. According to ACGME, the proposed requirements include an expanded section on patient safety and quality improvement, and new section on physician well-being; strengthen expectations around team-based care; and “streamline resident clinical and educational work hours to be consistent across the country in a framework that is supported by educators.” ACGME will accept comments on the proposed requirements through Dec. 19, with implementation targeted for the 2017-2018 academic year. Commenting on the proposed requirements, Jay Bhatt, D.O., AHA senior vice president and chief medical officer, said, “Providing a proper environment and foundation for training the next generation of physicians is critical. The AHA supports the spirit of the proposed ACGME requirements that aim to improve resident training, increase involvement in quality and patient safety activities and, as a result, improve outcomes for patients and their families.”