A decade's experience with a preceptorship. A model for gastroenterologic education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Subspecialty training programs are evolving beyond hospital settings.
• The integration of outpatient experiences is crucial for realistic medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a 10-year gastroenterology fellowship preceptorship program.
• To assess the impact of outpatient clinical experience on fellow training.
• To identify challenges in medical education within the current healthcare landscape.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 3-month preceptorships for second-year fellows.
• Involved fellows in daily patient care, including new and established cases.
• Exposed fellows to realistic practice scenarios and interdisciplinary discussions.

Main Results:

• Fellows gained comprehensive experience in a busy office setting.
• Exposure to preceptor's discussions provided realistic practice insights.
• Identified challenges related to managed care and specialist workforce reduction.

Conclusions:

• Outpatient settings are vital for modern gastroenterology training.
• Training must adapt to the realities of contemporary medical practice.
• Addressing funding and time allocation for medical educators is essential.