Changes in students' perceptions of clinical teaching as a result of general-practice clerkships

This study investigated whether a 3-week clerkship for third-year medical students in general-practice doctors' offices changed the students' perceptions of clinical teaching. The Preceptor Evaluation Questionnaire was administered to 138 junior medical students before and after their clerkships. The result of the study indicated that the clerkship had a positive effect on the students' perceptions. This finding was not related to their experiences in other clerkships nor to the grades they received for the clerkship. The results indicate that the teaching relationship established between student and family doctor significantly affects students' perceptions of aspects of effective clinical teaching.