A model for statement of privileges of medical students within the AHEC systems

A combination of factors has resulted in medical students being placed in hospitals not accustomed to their presence. These factors include expansion of the number of medical students in United States schools, an increasing emphasis on primary care education, and the strengthening of medical education programs in hospitals and area health education centers (AHEC) not previously utilized as medical education facilities. The introduction of the students has caused some confusion in these hospitals which may contribute to less than optimal medical education. Some of the confusion is attributable to the lack of a clearly defined role for the medical student and the lack of delineation of the responsibility of other personnel in providing and permitting student access to the system. Presented here is a model of privileges and responsibilities which has been introduced in an AHEC with positive effects on the quality of medical education and improvement of interdisciplinary relations.