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An elective primary care track in the preclinical years
S E Radecki1, A V Abbott, R A Girard
1Department of Family Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Orange.
Family Medicine
|November 1, 1994
Summary
An elective primary care track may help maintain medical students' interest in primary care specialties. Participation in this track strongly predicts choosing a primary care specialty at graduation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Primary Care Research
Background:
- Declining interest in primary care specialties among medical students is a concern.
- Early exposure to primary care is hypothesized to reduce specialty attrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an elective preclinical primary care track.
- To assess the track's impact on specialty preference and attitudes toward primary care.
Main Methods:
- 386 medical students (graduating classes 1991-1993) completed pre- and post-track questionnaires.
- Data linked with matriculation questionnaires and graduation specialty choices.
- Track participants and nonparticipants were compared.
Main Results:
- The primary care track did not prevent declines in participants' interest or attitudes.
- Enrollment was linked to student characteristics (e.g., female gender).
- Track enrollment strongly predicted choosing a primary care specialty at graduation.
Conclusions:
- Preclinical primary care tracks may help counteract declining interest in primary care.
- Participation is associated with choosing a primary care specialty upon graduation.