Wanted: community preceptors!
The future of the specialty depends on medical students who decide to follow today's family physicians into family practice. And currently, there's an urgent need for more community family physicians to serve as preceptors, to teach students "real-world" knowledge that can't be learned at medical school.
As a preceptor, you can help students ranging from newcomers learning basic history-taking and exam skills, to senior students planning to enter family practice residencies and needing more hands-on clinical experience.
What's in it for you?
"You can share the incredible rewards that come from being a mentor and role model, and give back to the medical profession by shaping the attitudes and the knowledge base of those who will care for your patients in the future."
-- AAFP President Neil Brooks, M.D.
MYTH:
My patients won't like having a student around.FACT:
Most patients truly enjoy having a student spend time with them. The student may have a chance to practice "therapeutic listening," and the patient can learn from the preceptor's explanations to the student.Call your local family medicine department, family practice residency or constituent chapter office for more information about preceptor opportunities in your area.
FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department. Copyright © 1998 by American Academy of Family Physicians.