The Women's Health Track: A Model for Training Internal Medicine Residents

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Abstract
Although women make up more than one half of the population, research traditionally has been based on studies of the average adult male. In the last decade, however, it has become increasingly obvious that results from investigations focusing on males may not accurately be applied to women. As research efforts expand to include women, the practice of medicine must incorporate new knowledge about women's health needs and provide care that is comprehensive in scope and sensitive to women's unique health concerns. The Women's Health Track was established to provide internal medicine residents with the opportunity to develop clinical skills and expertise in aspects of health that are unique to women. Incorporated into an established internal medicine residency, this program combines areas of obstetrics, gynecology, psychiatry, and adolescent medicine into a multidisciplinary curriculum that prepares internists to provide a variety of routine health care and screening services to women. The program is structured as a series of electives spread throughout the three years of an internal medicine residency. Both inpatient and ambulatory care experiences are included. The Women's Health Track program includes comprehensive internal medicine training with additional training in areas such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease in women, and breast cancer. Training is also provided in routine gynecologic care, medical management of pregnant patients, mental health problems common to women, and preventive medicine. Our goal is to train a group of internists to recognize and respond to the special health care needs of women.

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