AN OUTCOMES-BASED APPROACH ACROSS THE MEDICAL EDUCATION CONTINUUM.

The medical education continuum spans undergraduate medical education (i.e., medical school), graduate medical education (i.e., residency and fellowship), and continuing medical education. This article provides three examples across the medical education and practice continuum where an outcomes-based approach is being used. By focusing on outcomes instead of process, a more predictable product of undergraduate medical education will be a medical student capable on day 1 of performing the work required of residency. Assessing the quality of medical education by the quality of care a graduate delivers once they enter practice will allow more effective design of medical education to improve care. A more comprehensive assessment of lifelong physician competence will help ensure the health of patients, their health care experience, and the value of care are of the highest possible standard and are continually improving.