“Learning networks are evidence-based interventions that can help scale and spread innovations; develop and connect faculty, staff, and residents within and across programs; provide access to peer-to-peer expertise to identify and solve problems and mitigate the effects of burnout during times of change.” (Residency Learning Networks: Why and How. The Annals of Family Medicine, 2022)

The 2023 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) family medicine (FM) residency program requirements propose that a key strategy for supporting improvements in graduate medical education (GME) and further advancing family medicine is the development of residency learning networks (sometimes referred to as learning collaboratives or communities of practice).

Learning networks engage in a variety of activities such as: hosting community forums to promote peer to peer learning and expert to peer learning; sharing experiences and problem solving; identifying, and promoting knowledge and evidence-based effective practices; developing shared measurement approaches; documenting and analyzing data; and providing aid that help community members to build confidence and act on new insights.

The FMEC believes that learning networks spread innovation and improve care. Participation in quality improvement (QI) collaboratives can improve health professionals’ knowledge, problem-solving skills and attitude. Participants can learn teamwork, turn improvement strategies into habits, and develop leadership skills. Interaction across programs exposes learners and faculty to new strategies, creates healthy competition, and results in peer recognition.