Fundamental to the Self-Study process is the program’s mission and aims. Although all programs must adhere to the ACGME-I Foundational and Advanced Specialty Requirements, ACGME-I recognizes that within this framework, programs may place different emphasis on areas such as research, leadership, public health, etc. that coincide with the mission of the Sponsoring Institution and best meets the needs of the community it serves and the program’s graduates.
The program’s aims are based on the mission and are the key expectations for the program. For example, aims may focus on the type of residents or fellows recruited by the program, or on preparing graduates for particular careers such as clinical practice, academics, research, or primary care. Aims might also include care for underserved patients, health policy or advocacy, population health, or generating new knowledge. When developing the program’s mission and aims consider program and institutional values in areas such as quality and safety, team based care, resident well-being, and promotion of professionalism in residents and faculty members. Although aims may change, they should be developed by taking a long-term strategic view. In some institutions, setting program aims will be an institution-wide initiative.