Using private practice settings for academically intensive family practice clerkships

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Family Medicine
• Primary Care Training

Background:

• Traditional medical training often relies on hospital-based clerkships.
• There is a need for academically rigorous extramural training experiences in family medicine.
• Assessing the quality and intensity of private practice-based clerkships is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an academically intensive, three-month family practice clerkship in private practice settings.
• To compare the academic rigor and quality control of this extramural clerkship with traditional hospital-based models.
• To assess the impact of the clerkship on continuity of care.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a structured third-year family practice clerkship.
• Placement of students in private practice settings for three months.
• Application of academic structure and quality control measures.

Main Results:

• The private practice clerkship was found to be academically intensive and carefully monitored.
• Extramural experiences were demonstrated to be comparable to traditional hospital-based clerkships.
• Significant increases in the continuity of care were observed throughout the 12-week clerkship.

Conclusions:

• Family medicine clerkships in private practice can be academically intensive and well-monitored.
• Extramural training offers a viable alternative to traditional hospital-based clerkships.
• This model enhances medical students' experience with continuity of care.