Preceptors, send your students to Web site to learn more about life as an FP

BY LESLIE CHAMPLIN

Family physician preceptors have an enhanced tool for encouraging students to consider family medicine as their specialty. The tool, the Family Medicine Interest Group Web site at http://fmignet.aafp.org, has a new look and -- more important -- new content that provides an accurate picture of life as a family physician.

Family medicine preceptors applaud the updated site.

"Anything we can do to support students going into family medicine is great," said Linda Stone, M.D., predoctoral education director at Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health. "Our students have so many choices, and we want them to know about the specialty that we have loved. They are making huge personal and professional choices during medical school, and I believe family medicine is often the answer if they just knew more about it."

Amanda Keerbs, M.D., part-time family medicine faculty adviser who teaches an introductory preceptorship course for first- and second-year medical students at the University of Washington, Seattle, agreed.

"The virtual FMIG page has content that is useful for students who want to explore family medicine as a career choice and those who have already decided on family medicine and are looking for information on residency applications and leadership opportunities," she said.

With a completely new, easily navigated format, the site offers:

information about practice and career options in family medicine, FPs' work hours, median income, and student loan forgiveness programs;
information about student membership in AAFP;
a clinical resources page that includes links to AAFP Clinical Recommendations, the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, the National Guideline Clearinghouse and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force;
family medicine training requirements and a residency directory; and
links to American Family Physician and Family Practice Management.

Overall student reaction to the revised Web page has been positive, said Jay Fetter, AAFP manager of student interest, adding, "They liked the look of the site. Several said they were surprised that the scope of information, such as the new clinical resources section, was bigger than they had expected."

This year's update of the virtual FMIG site is the first major revision since the site was first launched in 2001.

FP Report | Headlines | AAFP Home | Search