Evaluating Ambulatory Resident Practice Using an Internet-Based System

To improve faculty participation in providing feedback on resident outpatient practice, we designed and implemented an Internet-based evaluation system. Attending physicians scored residents on 7 questions related to specific practice behaviors, and completed a free-text comment section. Between January and June 1998, 516 evaluations for 107 residents were generated using the Internet-based system, compared with 29 handwritten evaluations for 82 residents between January and June 1997. The number of faculty evaluations was 527 for 121 residents in the second half of 1998. An Internet-based evaluation system can improve faculty compliance with performing evaluations

Developing an Internet-based Communication System for Residency Training Programs

Administrative communication is increasingly challenging for residency programs as the number of training sites expands. The Internet provides a cost-effective opportunity to address these needs. Using the World Wide Web, we developed a single, reliable, accurate, and accessible source of administrative information for residents, faculty, and staff in a multisite internal medicine residency at reduced costs. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the website was determined by tracking website use, materials and personnel costs, and resident, staff, and faculty satisfaction. Office supply and personnel costs were reduced by 89% and personnel effort by 85%. All users were highly satisfied with the web communication tool and all reported increased knowledge of program information and a greater sense of “connectedness.” We conclude that an internet-based communication system that provides a single, reliable, accurate, and accessible source of information for residents, faculty, and staff can be developed with minimum resources and reduced costs