What does the ACGME mean by outcomes?
A3: Not to be confused with clinical outcomes, the Outcome Project refers to educational outcomes which are, “evidence showing the degree to which program purposes and objectives are or are not being attained, including achievement of appropriate skills and competencies by students.” (“Accreditation for Educational Effectiveness: Assessment Tools for Improvement,” Council on Postsecondary Education, February 1993, p. 37) Certainly, clinical outcomes can and should be used as educational outcomes for several of the General Competencies. However, they are not the only educational outcomes of residency education. Achievement of learning is the ultimate purpose of any well-structured educational activity. In keeping with the ACGME’s mission to ensure and improve the quality of graduate medical education, the Outcome Project focuses on educational outcomes, thus demonstrating achievement of learning by graduates of accredited residency education programs.
