Childhood farm injuries: a neglected aspect of patient and resident education.

Since family physicians are often the primary health providers for children residing in rural areas, one might expect family practice residencies to include in their curricula some teaching in regard to the prevention of childhood farm injuries. To assess how family practice residencies are currently responding to childhood farm injuries, the authors undertook a survey of the program directors of the nation's 380 residency programs. Of the 332 returned questionnaires, only three (0.9%) reported any formal instruction in the prevention of childhood farm injuries, despite the fact that 102 programs (30.7%) stated that at least 50% of their graduates practiced in rural communities. In addition to the survey, specific proposals are made regarding what residencies can do to initiate teaching in the prevention of farm injuries in children.