Effects of clinical preceptorship on career and practice site choices

To evaluate the effects of primary care preceptorships on the choices of career site and specialization, graduates of the University of Utah School of Medicine, 1972 through 1975, were questioned. Most practicing physicians who elected preceptorship training rated the experiences as valuable, but not important enough to be required. Physicians based their decisions for an urban practice on medical factors; rural areas were chosen more for personal reasons. In addition, data showed that the size of the respondents' hometowns was not associated with their choice in the size of their practice site nor their specialty. Respondents also reported that their medical school training was deficient in preparing them for the economic and psychosocial aspects of medical practice. Many Utah graduates are participating as clinical faculty or as preceptors for medical institutions and indicated that for their particular communities family physicians, obstetricians-gynecologists and pediatricians are still needed.