Since 1993, APTR offered rotations for preventive medicine and primary care residents with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Program, based at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The clinical preventive medicine rotation at AHRQ provided an in-depth experience in the process of developing evidence-based recommendations. Residents worked closely with AHRQ staff and USPSTF members on a variety of activities, such as: participating in scoping of clinical preventive services (CPS) topics; researching information on epidemiology and burden of preventable conditions addressed by CPS; reviewing and summarizing external comments on draft recommendations; researching positions of other organizations; and editing and finalizing recommendations and rationale statements. Other projects involved developing implementation materials for USPSTF recommendations aimed at patients, clinicians, health plans, employers or policy makers. Residents had the opportunity to participate in a variety of AHRQ meetings, conferences and seminars, including the USPSTF meetings and virtual calls with USPSTF members, as well as didactic teaching and journal club sessions focusing on current issues and updates in clinical preventive medicine and evidence-based research.

Residents rated the experiences and training components highly and nearly all reported an increase in their desire to work in governmental public health. Residents appreciated the preceptor support, opportunities to develop specialized skills, the direct public health experience, and opportunities to interact with leading experts in the field.  

Due to decisions of the current administration, this program is paused indefinitely.

To view past resident reflections visit:  www.aptrweb.org/projects

To read resident testimonials, visit:  www.aptrweb.org/AHRQ_Testimonials