Best Practices for APE

| September 6, 2017 | Print Article

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Using the APE to highlight successes as well as determine program needs

If we only focus on the weaknesses and challenges during the APE process, this process will become something that everyone dreads. It’s important to celebrate successes during the APE.

Involving the entire program (residents, faculty, staff, other departments)

Use the APE to bring some unity to the entire program. When you have the APE meeting which should become an annual date on the program calendar where everyone is included. Use a didactics time and invite everyone. Any person who interfaces with the trainees. One of the surgery programs I was a faculty for used to have at least 60 people in attendance at the APE.

Creating a mission and key distinguishing AIM statement (we will discuss this more during the Self Study piece) to drive the data collection

Taking the long view to program improvement

If we take the long view to program improvement, we won’t get swayed by small setbacks that are bound to happen on an annual basis. Or get disheartened by the murmurings of one resident or faculty members

Following up with the PEC throughout the academic year to ensure that progress is being made on action items

We touched on this already, but it’s really important to follow up on the action items in the PEC meetings throughout the year. A good way to ensure you do this is use the action plans as the either the first item on the PEC agenda or the entire agenda for the PEC. Either way, it’s important to continually follow up on action plans during the year so that progress is documented.

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