Residency

Ask the expert: What information should our PLAs contain?

Residency Program Connection, June 16, 2009

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Each residency program in an academic institution must have program letters of agreement (PLA) in place with the institutions or entities involved in educating residents. Training programs and sponsoring institutions share the responsibility of obtaining signed PLAs between the two parties. These detailed contracts or affiliation agreements should be in place with all hospitals where trainees rotate who must meet certain requirements. PLAs must define:

  • Number of residents to be trained
  • Type of training to be offered
  • Goals and objectives of the training
  • Source of funding

When preparing for a program site visit, collate your current, signed PLAs. Each must contain at least four elements:

  1. Identification by name of responsible faculty at the affiliated site
  2. Specification of the responsibilities of these faculty for supervision, teaching, and evaluation
  3. Duration and content of policies applicable to the rotation
  4. Acknowledgement of policies applicable to the rotation

Do not forget that any changes in PLAs must be first approved by the GMEC.

Today’s tip is from Insider’s Guide to the ACGME Site Visit, Second Edition by Kathryn Andolsek, MD, MPH, and Shepard Cohen.



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