Upholding the principles of primary care in preceptors' practices

Family medicine preceptorships are crucial to educating future physicians, but there is a lack of research on how well preceptors are following the principles of primary care. This study used the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT)-Provider Edition to determine how well medical preceptors provide quality medical care.

A total of 134 family medicine preceptors in the Maritime provinces of Canada answered questions about their practice behaviors, along with background information about themselves, their practice, and their practice population.

The highest scores were for "coordination: integration of care," and the lowest were for "cultural competence." PCAT scores improved with the number of patients seen weekly. Scores for first contact accessibility were higher for females and for those with 11-20 years experience as a preceptor, who saw more patients weekly, and in urban centers. "Longitudinality: relationship" scores were higher among those with at least 11 years of practice experience and who saw more patients weekly. "Community orientation" scores were higher for preceptors who saw more patients weekly and accepted new patients. "Cultural competence" scores were higher for preceptors with a culturally diverse practice population and who accepted new patients. "Coordination: integration of care" scores were higher among rural practices. "Coordination: medical records continuity" scores were higher in practices with less than 5 years' experience.

Maritime preceptors report providing quality primary care, and the PCAT can be used to benchmark the quality of primary care provided by preceptors.