| Robert
L. Hatch, M.D. Associate Professor |
Objectives and Learning Activities
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Clinical Practice is a three week course that takes place at the end of the fall semester of the first year. This course is a joint effort between the North Florida Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the College of Medicine. The primary learning activity is the preceptorship, during which each student spends two and one half weeks in the office of a Florida primary care physician. Housing and reimbursement for travel are provided by AHEC. The other component, the "Pre-preceptorship," consists of a series of lectures and workshops just before the preceptorship begins. These sessions cover practical aspects of patient care, expanding upon the preparation that students receive earlier in the first semester.
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
Course Director: Robert L. Hatch,
M.D., M.P.H.
(352) 273-5157
Community
Health & Family Medicine
Medical
Education
1600
SW Archer Road Room G1-019
Gainesville,
FL 32610-0222
hatch@ufl.edu
Community Health & Family Medicine
1600 SW Archer Road Room N-107
Gainesville, FL 32610-0222
curry@ufl.edu
Teaching Faculty: Over 100 primary care physicians act as preceptors for this course. They are located across northern Florida, from Pensacola to Jacksonville and south to Ocala. Lectures and workshops are offered by an interdisciplinary team including faculty from the Departments of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Neuroscience.
Course Administrative Assistants:
Program Assistant: Ann Van Doren (352)
273-8530
UF
AHEC Program
2750
NW 43rd Street Suite 102
Gainesville,
FL 32606-7486
avandoren@ufl.edu
Program Assistant: Nancy Stuart
(352) 273-5153
Community
Health & Family Medicine
Medical
Education
1600
SW Archer Road Room G1-018
Gainesville,
FL 32610-0222
nstuart@ufl.edu
OVERVIEW OF COURSE CONTENT
During the two-day "pre-preceptorship," students will participate in 4 to 6 lectures and 3 to 4 small group activities in Gainesville. Sample topics include Common Medications, Ethical Issues and Cultural Sensitivity. Students then have one day to travel to their site, before spending the next 2 and 1/2 weeks with their preceptor. The daily activities of each student will be determined by the specialty and scope of practice of the preceptor, and will be somewhat variable. Students are expected to participate in all aspects of the preceptor's practice, including hospital duties, hospital conferences, medically related presentations, home visits, etc. The main focus of the clinical experience is history taking. EVERY STUDENT IS EXPECTED TO PERFORM AT LEAST 20 INDEPENDENT HISTORIES DURING THE PRECEPTORSHIP!
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
"Introduction to Clinical Practice," an innovative course added to the curriculum in 1992, was spawned from comments of many students who desired earlier clinical exposure in order to balance and enhance the basic science curriculum. The course has been very successful by exposing students to strong physician role models demonstrating the relevance of basic science to the clinical practice of medicine, and providing a glimpse of the contemporary practice of medicine in a community setting.
The foremost educational goal of the College of Medicine is to provide each student with a general professional education. This course plays an important part in helping students reach this goal by providing an in-depth, immersion experience in primary care. During this course, students will participate in didactic and small groups activities to expand their knowledge and clinical skills. During the preceptorship, they will have numerous opportunities to practice history taking skills, participate as part of a health care team and learn about the clinical conditions commonly encountered in primary care.
It is firmly believed that by exposing students to strong physician role models early in their education, they will be better focused and more highly motivated to become caring, competent physicians in whatever area of medicine they choose. There are basic standards of caring and responsibility that all physicians should possess. What better way to introduce these basics than by placing students with community physicians who demonstrate these standards in the daily practice of medicine?
COURSE TIMETABLE
PRE-CLERKSHIP
Two Months Prior: Students
assigned to sites at one of the four North
Florida Area Health Education Centers (AHECs).
One Month Prior:
Student profiles sent to preceptors.
Personalized
certificate ("To Our Patients") sent to
preceptors.
2-3 Days Prior: Preceptors
remind colleagues and staff of student
arrival.
Students
participate in pre-preceptorship in Gainesville:
-
Lectures and exercises further prepare students for
the
Preceptorship.
-
Meet with AHEC Coordinators for discussion
about sites and preceptors.
CORE CLERKSHIP December 6- December 21, 2007
Day 1 Start
development of Learning Plan - Evaluations
-
Set date for mid-clerkship review with student.
-
Set date for final review with student.
-
Students complete "First Day Impressions" form.
Day 2
Complete Learning Plan
Midpoint Mid-clerkship
Review
-
Review learning plan and student's progress.
-
Mid-course site visit by AHEC Coordinators.
Final Day Final
Review
-
Review final evaluation with student.
-
Students complete "Last Day Impressions" form.
-
Submit travel reimbursement forms to AHEC
Coordinator, where applicable.
POST CLERKSHIP Final evaluation of student - Due
January 1, 2008
File
within one week of clerkship's last day.