By Frederick K. Williams, MD, FACP
The internal medicine resident physicians in the University of Miami at Holy Cross Health Graduate Medical Education program have a unique opportunity to grow and expand their experiences while providing a valued service to the community through Holy Cross Health’s MD ASAP. Our resident physicians have completed their medical degree and are in training to specialize in Internal Medicine.
As a commitment to improving access to outstanding primary care services to patients and the community, Holy Cross Health has a same-day primary care practice, MD ASAP, which is staffed by University of Miami – Holy Cross Health Internal Medicine faculty and resident physicians. MD ASAP targets patients who need same-day care, need to establish with a new primary care doctor or are unable to see their own doctor. Our residents practice in two sites, one in the Holy Cross Health medical office building across from the Holy Cross Healthplex and the other at the Holy Cross office in Wilton Manors.
Involving our resident physicians in MD ASAP as part of their training has many benefits:
Volume of diseases: Because we see a vast array of patients, many for a same-day appointment through MD ASAP, resident physicians are introduced to diverse illnesses with an acute presentation every day during the work week. This allows the patients to have their illness addressed immediately and enables resident physicians to learn from the sheer volume of cases that come in.
Collaboration and continuity of care: The team-based approach to care, the team’s full access to electronic medical records and the fact that patients who are seen through MD ASAP are referred back to their primary physician if there is one, means that resident physicians learn to better collaborate, communicate and provide continuity of care. We have 42 residents in our offices at different times maintaining that continuity and communication. Our approach allows for a more in-depth assessment and a plan tailored specifically to patients with services designed to help those in need. Resident physicians utilize their interpersonal communication skills to communicate and develop a rapport with patients which is critical. Residents also hone their communication skills collaborating with fellow residents and staff physicians.
Partnerships: The partnerships that are created between the hospital, physician groups and clinical practices increase the access resident physicians have to other physicians and to a large referral network.
Pipeline for physicians: Residencies can lead to full-time positions with hospitals and physician groups. That’s a benefit to both the resident physician and the physician practice group. For resident physicians, that means a full-time position in an already-familiar environment. For the hospital and physician group, this ensures that the best and brightest resident physicians will continue providing the highest quality healthcare in South Florida.
A win-win-win: Patients benefit twofold with access to a team approach to care, as well as longer appointment times that allow more face time with our physicians. Our resident physicians benefit from exceptional training and future career opportunities, particularly in South Florida where there is an increasing demand for primary care physicians. The hospital system benefits by having access to exceptional resident physicians added to their staff; while referring physicians can rest assured that their patients will be served expeditiously and with the utmost compassionate care, with records sent to referring physicians for follow-up care.
As a primary care physician for 30 years, training the next generation of doctors has been the most fulfilling part of my career. I am so fortunate to continue this mission as director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Holy Cross as we partner to deliver the highest quality of care to our vibrant and unique community.
Dr. Frederick K. Williams is Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Designated Institutional Official at University of Miami Hospital and Clinics, and Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency, University of Miami at Holy Cross Health Graduate Medical Education. He can be reached at (954) 938-3359 or fwilliams1@med.miami.edu.
