Background and Archives

The ACGME continually monitors the published research regarding patient safety, supervision, resident and fellow education, and competency development as it relates to clinical and education hours, to ensure that the Common Program Requirements reflect the best available evidence

By regularly conducting a thorough review of the Common Program Requirements, in conjunction with the graduate medical education community at large and other key stakeholders, the ACGME intends both to meet the responsibility of the profession to educate and train the next generation of physicians, and to ensure the safety of patients and residents and fellows involved in the education process. If any changes or modifications to the accreditation requirements are proposed as an outcome of this review, the ACGME invites comments during a 45-day public comment period.

At the heart of the requirements is the philosophy that residency/fellowship education must occur in a learning and working environment that fosters excellence in the safety and quality of care delivered today and in the future. The important corollary is that physicians’ own well-being is crucial to their ability to deliver the safest, best possible care to patients. To that end, the current Common Program Requirements:

• place greater emphasis on patient safety and quality improvement;
• more comprehensively address physician well-being;
• strengthen expectations around team-based care; and,
• streamline clinical and educational work hours to be consistent nationwide across specialties and educational year

“ The… Common Program Requirements encourage programs to teach new physicians how they can be effective participants and leaders of team-based patient care that is the standard of health care today [and] allow residents and fellows at all levels to benefit from the personal and professional satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes with professional commitment to patients…The requirements directly address how Sponsoring Institutions and programs can enhance resident and fellow well-being, and teach them the personal skills they will need to thrive throughout their career in medicine. ”

Jessica L. Bienstock, MD, MPH, Chair
     Review Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Council of Review Committee Chairs

Memo: Proposed Revisions to Common Program Requirements Sections I-V Open for Review and Comment

Summary of Changes to Section VI

• Monograph of the ACGME Task Force on Quality Care and Professionalism (2011)
• Comparison Table - 2003-2011
• Position Papers - ACGME highlights its standards on resident duty hours (May 2011)