[Medical students' evaluation of preceptorship in general practice in Vestlandet]

Preceptorship in general practice is increasingly popular the world over. Norwegian medical curricula include 4-8 weeks of such instruction. In this study we focus on the experience of University of Bergen medical students with preceptorships, based on their written evaluation.

In spring 2002, 60 sixth-year medical students had four-week preceptorships. All students returned an evaluation form, giving free-text descriptions on how satisfied they were with structure and supervision.

Many students experienced working in general practice as surprisingly exiting and educational. Their preceptors were mostly experienced as very competent, and working conditions reported as safe and including. Quite a large number of students received supervision during clinical work and got constructive feedback from their preceptors, and many participated in structuring their own work schedule and educational progression.

Even though the preceptorship period was experienced by most of the students as productive for learning and evoked much enthusiasm, there is still a need for quality assurance in order to secure a sufficient level of skills among all preceptors.