Teaching and funding of primary care education in third-year clerkships

The authors in this article describe a 12-week primary care elective for third-year medical students. The administrative and teaching resources of the Boston University School of Medicine, clinical sites at three Boston community health centers, and federal/state and private foundation funding are coordinated to provide a longitudinal, integrated experience in ambulatory pediatrics and medicine. A literature review revealed no prior medical student programs combining psychiatric, pediatric, and internal medicine teaching in a community setting. Case vignettes and questionnaire results indicate that the program has been a success at introducing students to primary care and the biopsychosocial model. The implications of bridging disciplines as well as academic and community health centers and providing funding resources are discussed. The authors recommend this integrative model for enhancing the development of future primary care physicians.