Program Highlights

Recent Resident Projects:

Research:

A resident investigated the number of women of child-bearing age in our clinic who had known teratogenic medications in their medication list without any documented contraception. As an outcome of this project, our EMR now includes a preventative health screening form that includes methods of contraception for providers to document and help improve patient safety. 

Other current projects include distribution of naloxone to high risk patients on opioids, comparison of treatment of multiple chronic conditions in refugee vs. non-refugee populations, and immunization of teenagers. 

Quality Improvement:

One resident noted non-English-speaking and refugee patients had greater stress and discomfort surrounding a gynecological exam and pap smear. As a result, she developed translated handouts describing the procedure and purpose to the patients to help answer their questions and ease concerns.

One resident wanted to ease the universal fear of needles shared by all children. She completed a presentation at our All-Staff meeting, detailing the use of distraction boards, medical toys, and Buzzy (a vibrating bee with cold wings to distract a child from the needle) for our pediatric patients.

Residents and faculty meet once a month and residents also attend a monthly all-staff meeting with the clinic in order to address problems, implement solutions, and initiate progressive processes that make St. Mark’s Family Medicine Clinic an evidence-based, cost-effective patient-centered medical home.

Continuing Education and Information Technology:

One of our residents attended a conference on the use of ultrasound and purchased an ultrasound for our clinic for musculoskeletal and obstetrical use.

Our residents are actively involved in the evolution of our EMR in order for it to best serve the providers and our patients. This includes building new templates and customizing pop-up alerts for our clinic visits.

Sports medicine:

Canyons Ski Clinic. Each ski season, R2s rotate at a ski clinic at the base of the Canyons Ski resort in Park City, Utah. During this high-volume, fast-paced rotation, residents learn to treat a variety of sports-related injuries and emergencies. R3s often return for more elective time.

Team support. We have been team physicians for the Salt Lake City Moose (tier III hockey), high school football, Golden Gloves boxing, University of Utah rugby, and many others.

National Freestyle Ski Championship. Residents have the opportunity to work in the medical tent at the bottom of the slopes for the professional skiers.

Boston Marathon.  Residents and faculty have been part of the medical team for this and other marathons.

Global Health:

Refugee care. We practice global health right in our clinic. Utah accepts approximately 1000 refugees annually. Our clinic is 1 of 2 clinic in the valley that performs the initial screening new arrival refugees. You can work passionate faculty to do initial intake and screenings for new refugees. Our residents often become the primary care provider (including maternity and child care) for these displaced families, giving residents an opportunity to practice English-as-a-second language encounters and learn about cultures from around the world.

Individual opportunities. Residents may use their ACGME-allotted away time for international rotations and undeserved rotations with IHC. Former residents have created a personalized ‘Global health track’ to prepare them for fellowship training and global health job opportunities.

Spanish Club. Our clinic servers many Spanish speaking patients. In an effort to better serve these patients, interested residents and faculty meet to improve their medical Spanish competency and practice conversations together.

Past trips:
Dominican Republic
In 2013, residents and faculty partnered with local organizations in the Dominican Republic to meet the healthcare needs of more than 600 children through Operation Kids.

In 2014, residents and faculty provided healthcare to nearly 1000 people, vision screening and glasses to around 500 people, first aid classes and kits to about 500 people, toothbrushes and dental hygiene teaching to about 500 people, and anti-parasite medicine and vitamins to about 500 children in partnership with Accion Callejera and Fundacion Madre Tersa in Monte Cristi.

WONCA – Rio de Janiro, Brazil in November 2016.  4 residents and a faculty member traveled to Brazil to attend the WONCA (world organization of family physicians) conference in Rio and conducted a 5-day mission trip in Rio del Campo, a suburb north of the city.

Honduras - Shoulder to Shoulder
2018 medical mission trip to rural Honduras with a non-profit organization, Shoulder to Shoulder. Several faculty and residents provided primary care in high need and undeserved areas of rural Honduras.

Lifestyle Medicine:

Residents who complete our Lifestyle Medicine Residency Program will gain a comprehensive set of skills and benefits, including: 

1. Patient-Centered Care: Residents will learn how to integrate lifestyle interventions into patient care, focusing on personalized approaches that address individual needs and preferences. 

2. Preventive Medicine: By understanding the role of lifestyle factors in disease prevention, residents will be better equipped to counsel patients on healthy behaviors and preventive strategies. 

3. Nutrition Expertise: Through specialized training in nutrition, residents will develop a deep understanding of the impact of diet on health outcomes and learn how to provide dietary recommendations tailored to each patient's needs. 

4. Physical Activity Prescription: Residents will learn to prescribe and promote physical activity as a key component of health maintenance and disease management.

 5. Behavioral Change Strategies: Residents will acquire skills in motivational interviewing and behavior change techniques to support patients in adopting and sustaining healthy lifestyle habits. 

6. Chronic Disease Management: With a focus on addressing the underlying causes of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, residents will be better prepared to manage these conditions through lifestyle interventions. 

7.. Evidence-Based Practice: Through exposure to the latest research and guidelines in Lifestyle Medicine, residents will develop strong skills in evidence-based practice and critical appraisal of scientific literature.

Overall, completing our Lifestyle Medicine Residency Program will prepare residents to be leaders in promoting health and wellness, with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact on patient outcomes and population health.

Other opportunities:

Kansas City. Residents attend the National AAFP meeting each year in Kansas to present their research and to run a booth at the recruiting session.

Connor Street. Two residents a year visit this care facility for children with cerebral palsy and see the patients in clinic.