Improving the Perception of Outpatient Practice: A Second Continuity Experience for Internal Medicine Residents.

BACKGROUND The challenges trainees experience in the traditional medical clinic are felt to be one deterrent to choosing a primary care career. OBJECTIVE We examined whether participation in a second outpatient continuity experience (Second Site) affects trainee perception of primary care practice. METHODS 241 current and former graduates of the Brown Alpert Medical School Internal Medicine training programs were surveyed about their experiences with Second Site. RESULTS Of the 232 potential responders, 160 completed the survey. Although most did not feel that the experience altered their chosen career path, a positive perception of outpatient practice was noted by 97% of the primary care respondents and 92% of the subspecialty respondents. CONCLUSION Second Site improved the perception of outpatient practice. A large number of our residents enter primary care, thus, few residents' careers were influenced by Second Site. Despite this, Second Site might enhance interest in primary care careers at other institutions. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-04.asp].