Dh. Fernald et al., Student perspectives on primary care preceptorships: Enhancing the medicalstudent preceptorship learning environment, TEACH L MED, 13(1), 2001, pp. 13-20
Background: Medical students participate in a longitudinal (3-year) primary
care preceptorship to assist them in developing skills in interviewing and
examining patients in an ambulatory care setting.
Purpose: To identify from a student's perspective important context and pro
cess issues in a longitudinal preceptorship.
Methods: The investigators used an "editing" style of analysis to identify,
significant themes across 24 medical student focus groups held between Oct
ober 1995 and December 1997.
Results: Significant themes emerged from the data analysis that describe im
portant features of what makes the preceptorship work for students. The mai
n themes are active teaching, active learning, a trusting relationship, suf
ficient time, and a shared understanding of preceptorship objectives. The p
otential benefits to students in an enhanced learning environment are comfo
rt, confidence, responsibility, skills, knowledge, reinforcement, learning
opportunities, teaching opportunities, and models for practice.
Conclusions: We offer recommendations for enhancing longitudinal preceptors
hips for preceptors, students, and leaders in medical education.