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Support of community preceptors: what do they need?
1MAHEC Family Practice Residency, Asheville, NC, USA.
Background:
A critical need exists for community-based physicians to serve as medical educators. Data are needed on how best to support this valuable educational resource. This study defines the relative value of different types of support as rated by community preceptors who teach in a family medicine clerkship.
Methods:
A total of 147 community-based preceptors for the University of North Carolina's third-year family medicine clerkship were surveyed with a self-administered, mailed questionnaire. Participants ranked sources of satisfaction, sources of dissatisfaction, and value of 27 types of potential support on a Likert-type scale.
Results:
Of the 147 surveys sent, 112 were returned (76%). CME credit for teaching, financial stipends, textbooks, funds for CME, and help recruiting were ranked highest in value by the overall group. Statistical comparisons were made between subgroups of practice type, location, and underserved status.
Discussion:
Wide variation in preceptors' needs supports a "menu" approach to preceptor assistance.