American Medical Foundation

The Foundation for Advanced Medical Education (FAME) provides education by nationally prominent consultants giving practical instruction to staff members that enhances basic technical skills, assists with the utilization of new techniques, and aids in the performance of new procedures. This includes on-site training and teaching by experts which helps assure that the clinician’s practice meets current standards. The time commitment may vary. FAME is currently funded by the physician alone or the physician in conjunction with the hospital. The Foundation welcomes grants to assist in its educational efforts.

When desired, on-site observation and proctoring by impartial medical or surgical experts can be arranged. This expert observes a physician’s practice over a sufficient period of time to judge his or her competence to perform the procedure(s) in question, and then, if required, assists in developing an educational program to bring the practice up to acceptable standards. This program may include a specialist with recognized expertise to work with a physician on-site. The expert may work interactively on designated procedures to assist, critique, and educate in identified areas of deficiency.

FAME has a three step program designed to provide training for practicing physicians in the safe and effective use of new devices and new technologies. This program was developed by a FAME Grant in collaboration with five prominent specialty societies. Procedures such as endoscopic or endovascular interventions begin with education by lecture, CD or online interaction. Next, the trainees are taught hands-on use of the device through a laboratory experience with simulators. In the third step, expert preceptors provide practical guidance. The experts will demonstrate the usage of the new instrument(s) and/or methodologies at their own institutions, and then go to the preceptee’s hospital to observe and, if desirable, assist the preceptee performing the procedure for the first time, and following that, monitor by telementoring.

We can assist in determining the reasons behind any adverse actions promulgated by the ACGME and help your program correct any deficiencies; such as:

A team of two former members of the Residency Review Committee in the specific specialty will provide a 1-2 day site visit to the health care facility. They will review the results of the Residency Review Committees report and your program; paying specific attention to the warnings and citations.

They will interview all residents, attendings, the Program Director and others specific to the department, such as the Chairman of the Department , the Designated Institutional Officer (DIO) and the Chair of your Institutional GME Committee. The purpose of the consultation is to determine whether the issues preventing the program from being in substantial compliance can be improved and recommendations can be made for compliance with published standards.

A report will be sent to the Program Director and Designated Institutional Officer.

The members of Residency Program Consultation Council have no current relationship with the ACGME, nor have they any influence in the decisions promulgated by the representative review committee RRC's.