Evaluating family practice residents with a problem category index.

Using a standard ambulatory coding system as a base, an index of 42 problem clusters encountered in family practice was developed by two Pennsylvania family practice residency programs. Comparisons of frequencies with which these index problems were encountered by physicians in the Family Practice Centers were used to identify the practice patterns of family practice residents and faculty. Analyses of these displays, while largely subjective, produced some interesting general and specific results. The initial study indicates that many problems known to be common in family practice are not identified as such by the physician. When this type of information can be simplified, it is welcomed and found useful by residents and faculty in family practice training programs. A simplified index can be developed and used by any physician without any special equipment.