What Is the Physician Residency Program?
At Encircle Families, we believe that compassionate, family-centered care starts with understanding the lived experiences of families raising children with disabilities. Our Physician Residency Program provides medical residents with a unique opportunity to see beyond the clinical setting and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, strengths, and needs of families. This hands-on experience helps shape more empathetic, informed, and effective physicians.
How It Works
Through this program, medical residents:
- Gain Firsthand Family Perspectives: Listen to families share their experiences navigating the health care system.
- Develop Critical Communication Skills: Learn best practices for relaying a diagnosis and engaging in patient-and family-centered care.
- Understand Parents as Partners: Explore how collaborative decision-making improves outcomes for children with disabilities.
- Discover Community Resources: Learn about essential support systems available to families.
- Engage in Real-World Experiences: Visit with a trained parent raising a child with a disability and witness the resilience and strength of families firsthand.
Why It Matters
This program gives future physicians a broader perspective on the impact a diagnosis has on the entire family. By engaging directly with families, residents build greater empathy, stronger communication skills, and a more holistic approach to patient care.
Get Involved
For more information about participating in the Physician Residency Program, please contact us at nannettes@encirclefamilies.org. We look forward to working together to shape a future where families and medical professionals collaborate for the best possible care.
