The Premier Medical Education Model: Improving Preceptor Recruitment in Underserved Areas

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Rural Health
• Family Medicine

Background:

• Tribal, rural, and underserved clerkships successfully increase medical students' intention to practice in these areas.
• Understanding barriers and facilitators for external preceptors is key to expanding these programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore perspectives of physicians and administrators regarding external preceptor recruitment.
• To develop an optimal structure for facilitating the recruitment of external preceptors in underserved areas.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semistructured interviews with 14 family physicians and 14 health system administrators in tribal, rural, and underserved areas.
• Utilized rapid assessment qualitative research methods and a framework approach for theme identification.

Main Results:

• Physicians identified common barriers and facilitators to precepting.
• Administrators were motivated by the potential for future physician recruitment.
• Developed the Premier Medical Education Hub model to align interests and increase preceptor participation.

Conclusions:

• Administrator buy-in is critical as health systems increasingly own practices.
• Integrating physician and administrator interests creates a synergistic model for preceptor recruitment.
• The Premier Medical Education Hub model offers a structured approach to enhance preceptor engagement in underserved areas.