A third-year family medicine clerkship based in an academic family practice center

In this paper, the authors describe the planning, curriculum, and evaluation of a five-week family medicine clinical clerkship for third-year students based in an academic family practice center. The program is an outpatient experience utilizing several innovative techniques: (a) problem-based learning that focuses on patient management tutorials, (b) consultation sessions with individuals offering specialized expertise, (c) supervised patient care in a family practice center and with a nursing home inpatient teaching service, and (d) workshops on various topics, such as office-surgical techniques, practice management, and alternative methods of health care. Evaluation of the course has demonstrated the merits of careful planning with student input, the need for flexibility, and the value of focusing on concepts in ambulatory care.